D-backs Jordan Montgomery to Move to Bullpen Role

The D-backs will be moving their struggling left-handed starter to a relief role.

Jun 21, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (52) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports / Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks have made a decision with regard to their six-man rotation dilemma.

First reported by Arizona Sport 98.7's John Gambadoro, and confirmed by MLB.com's Steve Gilbert, left-handed veteran starter Jordan Montgomery will be the one to transition to a bullpen role. Right-hander Ryne Nelson will remain a member of the starting rotation.

Montgomery had sputtered to a rough 2024 so far, after missing Spring Training and signing a late off-season deal with the D-backs. He signed a one-year, $25 million deal with Arizona, with a vesting player option for a second year.

But it hasn't worked out for either party thus far. Montgomery has pitched to a brutal 6.44 ERA in 19 starts, over 95 innings. Although showing some flashes of the pitcher he's known to be at times, the general output has not been up to Mongtomery's standards.

His most recent outing saw him go 5 2/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits to the Miami Marlins, one of the National League's weaker lineups.

Ryne Nelson, however, has done the opposite in the last month and a half. Despite struggling majorly in 2023, and beginning this season on a rough note, Nelson has become one of the D-backs' most effective arms. His 4.35 ERA is bolstered by a 3.64 FIP, though the ERA comes down to 3.05 over his last seven starts.

That said, Nelson had relief experience, and manager Torey Lovullo insisted the D-backs would pare down their rotation to five arms.

Arizona Diamondbacks ON SI Publisher Jack Sommers wrote on this topic this week, positing that Arizona should move Montgomery to a relief role sooner than later, despite Nelson being the apparent bullpen choice at the time.

Lovullo spoke on 98.7's Burns and Gambo Show about the conversation with Montgomery, and what went into the ultimate decision, calling it "about as tough a decision as I’ve had to make since I’ve become the manager here."

"Jordan Montgomery’s reputation obviously spoke for itself, we signed him, he won a world championship, and he’s had some good moments, but with 34-35 games left in the season, I have to make these tough decisions, and I’ve got to do them in the best interest of this team,” Lovullo said.

The manager said the big left-hander took the blow as well as could be expected.

“As difficult as it was, I felt like he accepted it, didn’t love the decision, he’s going to go the bullpen and help us win games there," said Lovullo. "Jordan was truly professional about it, which I really appreciated... he handled the news as good as I could imagine. I dropped a bomb on him today in my office here in Boston.”

"Truth be told, he’s been throwing the ball good, but not great, [Ryne Nelson]'s been throwing the ball better, and I just told [Montgomery] ‘look, I have to make these decisions based on performance.’ That’s what this game does, that’s where we’re at, if it was April we might have a different conversation..." the skipper continued.

Lovullo praised Nelson's positive trends in development, calling him "one of the best pitchers in baseball since July the 1st."

"It’s all coming together, and it happens quick with pitchers… When it happens for pitchers and they get that feel, you just get out of their way sometimes, because they get that rhythm, and they get that confidence and it’s fun for all of us to watch and that’s right where Nelly is right now,” Lovullo said.

Montgomery will bring length to the D-backs bullpen as he tries to sharpen his stuff and command, while Nelson will look to continue his hot trajectory as he takes the mound tonight against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Lovullo said the coaching staff will work with Montgomery on his preparation. Moving to a bullpen role means a significantly reduced warning period and warmup time.

Rather than a half hour or more, the former starter will have to adapt to a shorter, 7-10 minute preparation period, but the manager still expressed confidence in his struggling pitcher.

"He’ll find a way to get that done, I know it. He’s got a championship mentality and he’s going to get it done.”

Related Content

Opinion: It's Time for D-backs to Move Jordan Montgomery to Bullpen