Jordan Montgomery, the seasoned left-handed pitcher and former South Carolina standout, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers for the 2024 season. The agreement is valued at $1.2 million, with additional performance bonuses that could increase the total to $1.75 million, as reported by Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Montgomery’s return comes after his impactful contribution during the Rangers’ 2023 championship run.
Montgomery’s Journey Through the 2023 World Series and Subsequent Free Agency
At 33 years old, Montgomery brings valuable postseason experience to the Rangers, having posted a 2.90 ERA over 31 innings during their successful 2023 playoff campaign. Following those strong performances, he entered free agency for the first time in his career, represented by the Scott Boras Corporation. Initially, Montgomery signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks shortly after Opening Day 2024, marking a new chapter after years with different organizations.
Challenges Faced During Recent Seasons with Arizona Diamondbacks
Montgomery’s 2024 season with Arizona began under difficult circumstances. Without adequate spring training and after a demanding offseason, he was assigned to Triple-A Reno at the start of the year. On April 19, he made his Diamondbacks debut, pitching six innings and allowing only one run in a victorious outing. However, over 117 innings that season, Montgomery struggled, posting a career-worst ERA of 6.23.
Injury Setback Leading to Second Tommy John Surgery
Despite a tough season, Montgomery opted to exercise his player option for another year. Unfortunately, less than a week before Opening Day in 2024, he was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), necessitating his second Tommy John surgery. This injury sidelined him for the entire season and raised questions about his future health and effectiveness on the mound. Now, Montgomery aims to regain form alongside familiar teammates in Texas.
Early Career and Development Through Collegiate and MLB Ranks
Montgomery was selected in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees after pitching for the South Carolina Gamecocks from 2011 to 2014. His collegiate career included an 8-5 record with a 3.42 ERA over 100 innings in his final season, accumulating a 2.88 ERA in 44 appearances. He debuted in Major League Baseball in 2017, making 29 starts with a 3.88 ERA as a rookie, before injuries hampered his progression over the following two seasons.
Career Transitions and Contributions to Multiple MLB Teams
After recovering from his first Tommy John surgery, Montgomery returned to the mound and continued his career in MLB. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals at the 2022 trade deadline, where he made 32 starts across parts of two seasons. In 2023, Montgomery was traded to the Texas Rangers and played a crucial role in their World Series victory, adding valuable depth to their pitching staff.
Outlook for Montgomery and the Rangers’ Pitching Rotation
The Rangers hope Montgomery can return to the level he displayed during their championship season, though concerns about his injury history remain. When healthy, Texas fields a formidable pitching rotation led by Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. Montgomery is anticipated to make his return around the MLB All-Star break, which would bolster the team’s rotation during the critical second half of the season.
