Struggling D'backs Pitcher Moved to Bullpen
- Arizona D-backs demote Jordan Montgomery to bullpen after repeated failures.
- Montgomery, a struggling starter, failed to live up to the team's $25 million investment.
- The decision reflects the team's efforts to improve pitching performance.
In a significant shift for the Arizona Diamondbacks' postseason aspirations, left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery has been removed from the starting rotation. Montgomery, who signed a $25 million contract with the team after spring training, struggled to adapt to the National League, leading to his demotion. Manager Torey Lovullo announced that Ryne Nelson would take over Montgomery's spot, following Nelson's recent strong performances. Montgomery, a former postseason standout with the Texas Rangers, has faced challenges this season, posting a disappointing 6.44 earned run average. His struggles were compounded by a knee injury that delayed his season debut until mid-April, and he has yielded an alarming 11.7 hits per nine innings while averaging just 6.3 strikeouts. This season marks a stark contrast to his previous success, as he has started 159 of his 160 career games since debuting with the New York Yankees in 2017. The Diamondbacks initially pursued Montgomery after losing fellow lefty Eduardo Rodriguez to injury during spring training. Despite his struggles, Montgomery's experience and past success may provide opportunities for a return to the starting role in the future. As of Saturday, the Diamondbacks are in a competitive position, sitting second in the NL West with a 73-56 record. They have won seven of their last ten games, securing the first wild-card spot, just ahead of the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves.