Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Drawing interest from other teams
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks are fielding interest from other teams about a possible trade involving Montgomery, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports reports.
Montgomery, who got a late start to Cactus League action due to a strained finger, made his second spring start Wednesday, throwing 40 pitches. He allowed three hits and one walk while striking out two over 2.2 scoreless innings. It was an encouraging outing that could lead to further interest as teams set rosters for Opening Day. The left-hander is competing with Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson for the final spot in Arizona's rotation. Whatever happens, Montgomery will get one more Cactus League outing to build up his pitch count and could be ready for the first week of the regular season, if he's pitching at the back end of the rotation or if a team uses an off day to get by with four starters.
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Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Encouraging session Thursday
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Montgomery threw 40 pitches over two simulated innings on the backfields Thursday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Montgomery was hammered in his first Cactus League start last Saturday, and for a couple of reasons, including rain forecasted for Thursday evening, the Diamondbacks had him throw a backfield session Thursday afternoon instead of taking a turn in a game environment. It was a controlled environment where the left-hander could hit his pitch count and get in an up-and-down. All involved thought it was good session for Montgomery, who is expected throw next in a Cactus League game. He believes there's still time to get ready for the regular season, and the fact that he'd be fifth in line gives him a bit more time. Due to a day off following the first series of the season -- a four-game set against the Cubs -- Arizona will not require a fifth starter until April 5.
Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Next outing on back fields
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Montgomery's next spring outing will come on a back field at camp Thursday instead of in a Cactus League game, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Montgomery was shelled in his spring debut last Saturday, recording just one out while allowing five earned runs. The Diamondbacks have indicated that the poor showing didn't factor into the decision to have him bypass pitching in a second Cactus League game. Instead, the team sees potential rain in the forecast for Thursday, and it wants to ensure Montgomery gets his work in during the day. The left-hander needs the work due to a finger injury early in camp that left him behind other candidates for the rotation.
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Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Shelled in spring debut
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Montgomery pitched one-third of an inning in a Cactus League game against the Reds on Saturday, allowing five runs on two hits and two walks.
It was Montgomery's spring training debut after he dealt with a strained left index finger early on in camp. The left-hander hit his first batter and followed up by allowing a two-run home run to Christian Encarnacion-Strand. He then walked the next two and then got Matt McLain to fly out before allowing an RBI single to Elly De La Cruz. He was pulled after 28 pitches. Montgomery is in a competition with Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson for the last rotation spot.
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Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Will enter as reliever Friday
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Montgomery (finger) will follow starter Zac Gallen in Friday's spring game against the Angels, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
Montgomery will be making his Cactus League debut but will be used as a reliever. Despite the bullpen role Friday, Montgomery is still in the mix for Arizona's final rotation spot, along with Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo believes the left-handed Montgomery will be ready for the start of the regular season despite his delayed start to spring games.
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Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Set to pitch in game Friday
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Montgomery (finger) will pitch in a game Friday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Lovullo didn't specify whether Montgomery's appearance would come in a Cactus League contest versus the Angels or a minor-league game, but either way it's a big step forward for the southpaw. Montgomery has been limited this spring by a left index finger strain and his late start could eliminate any chance he had of breaking into the Diamondbacks' Opening Day rotation.
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Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Live BP session coming
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Montgomery (finger) will throw to live batters on the back fields of camp Tuesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
By Tuesday, Montgomery will be the lone rotation candidate to not pitch in a Cactus League game. That raises concern that he may not be ready for the first turn of the rotation in the regular season, though it's not clear yet if he'll even be in line for a starting spot. Montgomery is competing with Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson for the final spot.
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Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Another bullpen Friday
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Montgomery (finger) threw 26 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday and plans to throw another one Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
If Montgomery comes out of Friday's session without issue, the next step will be facing live hitters on the backfields before entering a game setting.
Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Bullpen moved to Tuesday
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Montgomery (finger) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Montgomery, who was cleared for a bullpen session after an exam last Wednesday, had been scheduled to throw Saturday but will now throw Tuesday. The left-hander built up prior to spring training and doesn't expect there to be any issue with being ready for the start of the season.
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Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Cleared for bullpen session
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Montgomery (finger) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Montgomery has been limited this spring by a left index finger strain but has been cleared for mound work. The veteran left-hander should have plenty of time to ramp up before Opening Day, but his role is up in the air following last year's struggles and the Diamondbacks' rotation depth.
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Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Exam coming Wednesday
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Montgomery will have his strained left index finger examined Wednesday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
Montgomery, who was scheduled to begin throwing by midweek, is expected to initiate an already mapped out plan shortly following Wednesday's exam. The Diamondbacks enjoy good starting depth, and it's uncertain whether the left-hander will be part of the rotation. His eventual role will depend on which version of Montgomery shows up: the 2023 iteration (3.20 ERA) that helped Texas win the World Series, or the pitcher that signed with Arizona late in the spring of 2024 and pitched to a 6.23 ERA.
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Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Set to throw soon
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Montgomery (finger) is scheduled to have a throwing session Tuesday or Wednesday, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.
The left-hander was diagnosed with a strain of his left index finger Thursday and has been shut down for a few days, but he's expected to be back throwing soon. Montgomery should have enough time to be fully built up for the start of the regular season if he can avoid setbacks.
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Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Not yet throwing
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Imaging revealed a strain in Montgomery's left index finger Thursday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
The Diamondbacks don't seem too concerned about Montgomery's finger, but they'll hold off on having him throw for now and see how he feels in a few days. The 32-year-old southpaw also reported shedding 20 to 25 pounds over the offseason, as he's determined to bounce back from a 2024 campaign that was easily the worst of his career.
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Diamondbacks' Jordan Montgomery: Cuts weight over offseason
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Montgomery said Thursday that he lost 20 to 25 pounds over the offseason, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Montgomery appears motivated following a disastrous 2024 campaign which saw him collect a 6.23 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 83:44 K:BB across 117 innings. It's been no secret that the Diamondbacks have attempted to trade the lefty this offseason, but his $22.5 million salary has made that difficult. Arizona plans to operate with a traditional five-man rotation again in 2025, which could mean Montgomery being used in long relief if he's still with the club on Opening Day.
