Montgomery's next spring start? On the back fields
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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Jordan Montgomery¡¯s next outing of the spring will come in a simulated game on a back field Thursday instead of a Cactus League contest.
There are a few reasons the Diamondbacks lefty will do that rather than face the Mariners in a night game in Peoria.
First and foremost, Arizona made the decision because Montgomery has been a bit behind schedule compared with other starting pitchers due to a left index finger injury at the beginning of camp, so the club wants to make sure he gets his work in. The forecast for Thursday night calls for a strong chance of rain, so having Montgomery get his work done in the morning minimizes the risk of him not getting to pitch.
Another reason is the controlled environment of a back-field game, which will give Montgomery the chance to work on some of the changes he¡¯s been making since struggling in his first spring outing last Saturday against the Reds.
In that game, Montgomery retired just one batter while allowing five runs on two hits, two walks and a hit by pitch.
It came on the heels of a 2024 season that saw him not sign with the Diamondbacks until after Spring Training. He then struggled, posting a 6.23 ERA during a season in which he was shifted to the bullpen in late August.
Montgomery, who exercised his $22.5 million player option for 2025, finds himself battling with Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson for the fifth spot in the rotation after the Diamondbacks' surprise signing of Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million contract.
¡°Just super rushed and tense and trying to muscle everything,¡± Montgomery said after the outing against the Reds. ¡°I¡¯ve just got to take a chill pill and relax.¡±
The veteran spent time talking with pitching coach Brian Kaplan after his start and has been working on making some adjustments. It will be easier for Montgomery to try some of those things without it being a Cactus League game.
¡°We just felt like it was super, super important that he gets on the mound and he continues his progression,¡± Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. ¡°And Kap, I think, identified a couple things that he wants to work on. You can kind of touch and feel a little bit in that controlled setting. There's nothing wrong with his body. He feels great, looks great in every way. But we want to give him the ability to make sure that there's going to be a chance to take the mound and then make some subtle adjustments in real time.¡±
Roster moves
The Diamondbacks made a host of roster moves Monday. Right-handers Yilber Diaz (Arizona's No. 4 prospect) and Cristian Mena (No. 13) were optioned to Triple-A Reno, along with infielder Tim Tawa (No. 25).
Right-handers Kyle Amendt, Christian Montes De Oca and Listher Sosa, lefty Kyle Backhus, catcher Christian Cerda, infielder Tristin English, infielder LuJames Groover (No. 10 prospect) and outfielders Kristian Robinson and A.J. Vukovich were reassigned to Minor League camp.
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Graveman throws
Reliever Kendall Graveman faced hitters in his first live batting practice session of the spring. Graveman was signed to a Major League deal after camp opened and was briefly sidelined with back tightness.
Though he has yet to get into a game, Graveman still has time to make the Opening Day roster, as one-inning relievers do not need to get built up the way starters do during the spring.