Jordan Montgomery is on track to return to the Diamondbacks rotation when his spot comes up on Tuesday. Dbacks TV reporter Jody Jackson posted on X that Montgomery is in the team’s clubhouse.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Jordan Montgomery is in the Dbacks clubhouse in KC.
— Jody Jackson (@Jody_Jackson) July 22, 2024
Montgomery, 31, was placed on the 15-day IL on July 2 (retroactive to June 29). He suffered the injury while throwing his bullpen session following his last start against the Twins when he allowed eight runs in 2 2/3 innings. The Diamondbacks are hoping to see more consistent outings from the veteran left-hander.
It’s been a tough season for Montgomery, who signed a one-year deal with a vesting option on March 29 after missing all of Spring Training. The option has since vested, guaranteeing him at least $20 million for 2025 if he stays in Arizona. It will escalate by $2.5 million each when he reaches 18 and 23 starts.
In 13 starts, the veteran left-hander is 6-5 with a 6.44 ERA. His strikeout and walk rates per nine innings have both declined over last season to 6.2 and 3.2 respectively. Opposing batters are putting up a .320/.370/.507 slash line against him this season.
Montgomery will take the rotation spot vacated by Slade Cecconi, when the team optioned him following his last start on July 10. Cecconi will pitch out of the bullpen for the rest of the season.
Jackson also reports that Merrill Kelly and Eduardo RodrÃguez will throw bullpens on Tuesday. If those go well, both pitchers could be headed to a simulated game later in the week. Kelly would throw on Thursday and RodrÃguez on Friday. Both pitchers are expected to be back by mid-August.
Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez will throw bullpens tomorrow. If that goes well, Kelly will throw a simulated game Thursday and same for Rodriguez on Friday.
— Jody Jackson (@Jody_Jackson) July 22, 2024
Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson have stepped up in the rotation of late, giving the team some consistency behind Zac Gallen. Those two have softened the blow of these injuries, which has kept their season alive heading into the trade deadline. With the rotation becoming healthy, the hope is the Diamondbacks have enough pitching to not only get into the postseason but make a deep run once they’re in.
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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
