Don’t expect Yankees’ Justus Sheffield to get Jordan Montgomery’s spot soon

Yankees top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield isn’t “far off” from the majors, but still has work to do, Triple-A manager Bobby Mitchell says.

MOOSAIC, Pa. — Yankees starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery‘s upcoming Tommy John surgery puts pressure on general manager Brian Cashman.

Domingo German has turned in mediocre results in Montgomery’s rotation spot. If German doesn’t prove he’s the man for the job, Cashman may have to trade for starting pitching help.

Actually, Cashman might do it regardless, considering it was a stated goal of his in the offseason and during spring training.

Either way, don’t expect to see the Yankees drop top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield into their rotation any time soon.

While the 22-year-old lefty isn’t “far off” from being big-league ready, he’s still got work to do at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, according to manager Bobby Mitchell.

“He’s not far off,” Mitchell said Tuesday afternoon at PNC Field, “but he’s got some things to take care of. And he knows. I can’t say what they’re thinking up there at all. All I know is that he’s very young still. He needs more work here for a little bit.

“But who knows. He could go up there and, you never know. When the guys go up there, the adrenaline gets flowing and all of a sudden the competition is good and it may not be much more than it is here sometimes. He’s on his way. I just don’t know how soon.”

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Mitchell had just heard the news of Montgomery’s impending surgery, which could keep him out of games until 2020.

Mitchell has seen improvement this season from Sheffield, who’s 0-2 with a 3.80 ERA in five starts since getting promoted from Double-A Trenton.

“He’s obviously competitive,” the manager said. “That’s what I love about him. One of the things I love most about him is, he’s competitive. He’s also improved his fastball command. He’s just got to be more consistent. He’s working on it. His slider and his changeup are working more consistently, but he still needs to locate all his pitches well. You don’t want the hitters to just be sitting on fastballs all the time. He’s got to pitch inside, which he’s doing to righties.”

Baseball America ranks Sheffield the No. 26 overall prospect in the game and the third-best lefty pitching prospect.

“He’s moving right along,” Mitchell said. “He’s very young. He’s getting better all the time and it’s a credit to him and his work ethic and the way he goes about his business. It’s just a matter of time really.”

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.