Texas Rangers reunite with World Series pitcher

Post Rangers career 

Following 2023, he ended up signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and things started to go downhill for him. He ended up signing late and missed part of spring training, so there was a chance that he was going to be rusty, but no one expected what happened. 

He struggled mightily in 2024 with a 6.23 ERA and a -1.4 WAR. 2025 was an even worse year for him as he ended up needing Tommy John Surgery and missed the whole season.

It got so bad with the Diamondbacks that he was shipped off to the Brewers and didn’t play a game for them as he rehabbed.

Montgomery will be out until around the All-Star break as he recovers from surgery. 

What he can bring to the Rangers 

It will be tricky to see how Montgomery will slot into the rotation since he will miss about half the season with injury. The Rangers have a good group of starters from one to four, with the fifth spot being up for grabs. 

He would compete for that spot right away if he were healthy, but he will have to wait. The competition is mostly about Kumar Rocker and Jacob Latz; if neither one of them has not grabbed a hold of the spot, then Montgomery can take over there. 

However, if Latz or Rocker has performed well, then things will start to get interesting. That could lead to Montgomery getting pushed into the bullpen and could be a long man for them. The Rangers could also go to a six-man rotation with Montgomery coming back. 

Montgomery can be a pitcher that anchors the back of the rotation and can eat big innings and help save the bullpen, as he showed in the Rangers World Series run in 2023. 

It is never too bad to have too many pitchers, as the Rangers have dealt with injuries with Jacob deGrom, Jack Leiter, and Eovaldi all missing time last year. 

The Last Word 

This move could be a high upside move if it works out, and Montgomery could be a good part of the rotation. He could eat innings for the team, and he could be able to elevate the rotation by helping. 

At the very least, Rangers fans will be happy to see such a familiar face come back, and someone who can provide a veteran presence for the younger pitchers and help them grow.