The last team Jordan Montgomery pitched against was the Arizona Diamondbacks, who helped the Texas Rangers win the 2023 World Series.
After a lengthy period of free agency, Montgomery is currently pitching for the D-backs.
Just two days before MLB Opening Day, Montgomery signed a one-year contract with Arizona worth $25 million, according to the Arizona Republic.
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No. 52 Jordan Montgomery of the Texas Rangers reacts during the first inning of the Wild Card Series against the Tampa Bay Rays on October 3, 2023 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Montgomery has a $20 million player option to start 10 games next season. His salary in 2025 will be $22.5 million if he starts 18 games, and $25 million if he starts 23 games.
The 31-year-old is another client of Scott Boras, who signed him on a short-term deal with an option this off-season. Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell and Matt Chapman also received similar deals.
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Arizona was in the market for a starting pitcher, especially after Eduardo Rodriguez suffered a latissimus dorsi strain that will keep him sidelined for at least the beginning of the year.
Montgomery’s 2023 season ended with the Rangers, but he started 21 games with the St. Louis Cardinals, who sent him from the New York Yankees in 2022. Montgomery quickly became a top trade candidate after posting a 3.42 ERA in 121 innings.
No. 52 Jordan Montgomery of the Texas Rangers pitches in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 15, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Bob Levy/Getty Images)
The Cardinals ended up trading Montgomery to the Rangers, who were pushing toward the postseason. Montgomery had more success there, pitching 67.2 innings in 11 starts and posting a 2.79 ERA.
With the Cardinals and Rangers, Montgomery used pinpoint position on his fastball and sharp curveball to record a career-high 166 strikeouts.
Montgomery’s career took off after he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 after starting just two games with the Yankees. He started 10 games in 2020 and posted a 5.11 ERA and was starting to find his form again.
However, in 2021, he started 30 games, recorded an ERA of 3.83, and showed durability over 157.1 innings.
The Diamondbacks needed a pitcher in a tough NL West division that included the star-studded Los Angeles Dodgers.
Jordan Montgomery #52 of the Texas Rangers reacts during the bottom of the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 1 of the Wild Card Series on October 3, 2023 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Montgomery joins a solid young D-backs rotation that includes Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Brandon Puffert.
