Embattled Diamondbacks pitcher takes step forward with spring start

Needing a solid showing to prove he still deserved a roster spot heading into Opening Day, Arizona Diamondbacks southpaw Jordan Montgomery did just that on Wednesday at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.

Facing a lineup filled with Colorado Rockies who are expected to start on Opening Day, Montgomery scattered three singles across 2.2 scoreless innings in just his second Cactus League appearance. It was also his first start following a disastrous one-inning relief appearance on March 8 against the Cincinnati Reds. In that appearance, Montgomery was charged with five runs while recording just one out.

"I've never lost confidence," Montgomery said. "I know I'm a good pitcher. That's just part of it. Sometimes spring training will speed up on you."

After throwing additional innings on the back fields at the Diamondbacks complex after the Cincinnati start, Montgomery seemed optimistic about the sessions. On Wednesday, that reason for optimism continued.

Montgomery opened the game with a six-pitch walk to Brenton Doyle, then surrendered a single to Ezequiel Tovar. However, he was able to work out of the early jam by getting Ryan McMahon to hit into a double play and striking out Michael Toglia to end the frame.

The 32-year-old Montgomery, in the second year of a two-year, $47.5 million deal, started the spring dealing with a left index finger strain. He also showed a lack of velocity in his only spring appearance, with his fastball often registering in the high 80s, around 3 mph below what he averaged with it last year.

On Wednesday, Montgomery's fastball peaked at 92.2 mph (per Baseball Savant), an encouraging sign. Still, Montgomery admitted he wasn't where he hoped to be at this point in spring, with the Diamondbacks opening the season at home against the Chicago Cubs on March 27.

"I wouldn't say I am, but I'm getting closer every time I go out there," Montgomery said.

While Arizona manager Torey Lovullo has said that the battle for the fifth spot in the rotation is still a competition, Montgomery was noncommittal about his feelings on a role in the bullpen if it came down to that.

"Not my decision, so whatever they say," Montgomery said.

Coming off a season where he posted a 6.23 ERA in 117.0 innings and was moved to the bullpen after struggling as a starter, Montgomery is a puzzle that Lovullo and the Diamondbacks will need to solve early this season. Once again being in the bullpen to start the campaign seems like a real possibility after Montgomery showed flashes of why he deserved a roster spot on Wednesday.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.