As the 2026 spring training begins, several notable free agents have secured new contracts, including Aaron Civale, who has signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Athletics. This agreement positions Civale to join the A’s rotation, addressing their pitching needs after a challenging past season. Meanwhile, Jordan Montgomery, following a series of setbacks, returns to the Texas Rangers on a one-year contract, aiming to contribute upon his midseason recovery. In addition, catcher Jonah Heim, after peak years with the Rangers, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves, seeking to revive his performance in a new environment. These signings highlight a flurry of roster activity surrounding veteran pitchers and catchers as teams prepare for the upcoming season.
Jordan Montgomery Restarts Career with Rangers Following Injury
Jordan Montgomery, who played a pivotal role in the Texas Rangers’ first-ever World Series title in 2023, is set to rejoin the team on a one-year contract worth $1.25 million, plus incentives. The 33-year-old left-handed pitcher underwent his second Tommy John surgery in April 2025, sidelining him for that entire season. His recovery timeline suggests a return around midseason, with hopes that he will strengthen the Rangers’ pitching staff during the stretch run. Montgomery’s journey since the 2023 championship has been turbulent, marked by a troubling free agency period, a troubled stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks, agency changes, and public disputes with his former agent, Scott Boras.
In his standout 2023 season, Montgomery ranked eighth in MLB with a 3.20 ERA and earned 4.2 wins above replacement (WAR), his career highs. His postseason performance featured a 2.90 ERA over 31 innings, including combined shutouts in the ALDS and ALCS, and crucial relief work in Game 7 of the ALCS. However, his 2024 campaign with the Diamondbacks was marred by a notable decline in pitch velocity and performance, culminating in a 6.23 ERA. A drop in his sinker velocity from 93.3 mph to 91.8 mph left the pitch vulnerable, contributing to his struggles.
Montgomery also parted ways with the Boras Corporation, enlisting Wasserman representatives Joel Wolfe and Nick Chanock to handle his career. He publicly criticized Boras’s handling of his free agency, especially regarding lost opportunities with the Boston Red Sox that would have aligned with his wife’s medical residency. In turn, Diamondbacks managing partner Ken Kendrick labeled signing Montgomery “a horrible decision.” Attempts to trade Montgomery ultimately failed until his revelation that he required another Tommy John surgery forced Arizona to shift him to long relief roles and eventually trade him to the Milwaukee Brewers as part of a salary dump.
Montgomery’s career figures include a 4.03 ERA and a 21.5% strikeout rate, though his recent performance with Arizona has left a visible dent in these statistics. Returning to Texas, he reunites with manager Skip Schumaker, who previously coached alongside Montgomery in St. Louis. The Rangers’ pitching rotation, projected to rank sixth overall, will be led by Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi, with promising candidates like Jack Leiter and MacKenzie Gore filling key roles. With several uncertainties in the fifth starter slot, including the development of Kumar Rocker and the health and readiness of other prospects like Jacob Latz and Cody Bradford, Montgomery offers a low-risk option to bolster the rotation if he can regain form.
Aaron Civale Joins Athletics Seeking Stability in Rotation
At 30 years old, Aaron Civale has experienced a nomadic recent career, splitting time across multiple teams in the last three seasons. His 2023 season saw him pitch for the Guardians and Rays, 2024 included stints with the Rays and Brewers, and in 2025 he played for the Brewers, White Sox, and Cubs. Despite facing challenges such as a left hamstring strain in 2025 and several midseason trades, Civale ended last year with a 4.85 ERA and a 20.2% strikeout rate over 102 innings pitched. His main difficulty has been a high home runs allowed rate, especially exacerbated by left-handed hitters who have consistently hit him hard.
The Athletics signed Civale to a one-year contract worth $6 million, aiming to improve their starting pitching staff that struggled significantly last season. Oakland’s rotation was ranked near the bottom in ERA and WAR, highlighting the importance of adding experienced arms like Civale. However, the move presents challenges due to the A’s minor league ballpark in Sacramento – Sutter Health Park – which exaggerates scoring and home runs, particularly against left-handed pitchers like Civale himself.
Oakland’s rotation will be anchored by right-hander Luis Severino and lefty Jeffrey Springs, with manager Mark Kotsay announcing an open competition for the remaining spots. Candidates such as lefty Jacob Lopez and righty Luis Morales have impressed in limited appearances, while other hopefuls include Luis Medina, J.T. Ginn, and Gunnar Hogland, though each has struggled with high ERAs. Civale’s experience and opportunity to compete could solidify his role as a starter, though his history of multiple midseason moves means his future remains contingent on performance.
Jonah Heim Seeks Rebound with Braves After Declining Performance
Jonah Heim, former Texas Rangers catcher and Montgomery’s teammate, experienced the best season of his career in 2023. At age 28 that year, Heim posted a .258 batting average with 18 home runs, compiled 4.0 WAR, and earned his first All-Star selection and Gold Glove while helping the Rangers win the World Series. However, his performance declined in subsequent seasons, highlighted by a stark second-half slump in 2023 and below-replacement-level production through 2024 and 2025.
During the past two years, Heim has logged significant playing time behind the plate, ranking 11th in innings caught among MLB players, but injuries and wear have taken a toll. A compressed nerve in his right hand during the 2025 season forced him to play through pain, likely affecting his effectiveness. Additionally, Heim’s style of hitting has shifted notably; pull-air batted ball rates have sharply decreased while ground balls increased, and his slugging percentage against fastballs dwindled, with a significant rise in strikeout rate.
With the Rangers opting not to tender Heim a contract after the 2025 season, he signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million with the Atlanta Braves. The Braves, coping with catcher Sean Murphy’s hip labrum surgery and projected midseason return, will rely on Heim to potentially serve as a third catcher and occasional designated hitter. While rookie Drake Baldwin is expected to start, Heim’s experience offers valuable depth. His ability to adjust and regain productivity could determine whether the Braves retain him beyond this season, especially amid a catching corps that includes lesser-known players such as Chadwick Tromp and Sandy León.
The Broader Impact of These Veteran Additions
These recent signings of Jordan Montgomery, Aaron Civale, and Jonah Heim exemplify the fluid and often unpredictable nature of MLB careers, especially for players seeking to reestablish themselves after setbacks. Montgomery’s return to Texas presents a calculated gamble for the Rangers, banking on his health and familiarity to provide pitching depth late in the season. Civale’s role with Oakland carries both opportunity and adversity, as he faces a hitter-friendly home environment yet has the chance to cement a rotation spot amid open competition. Heim’s signing by Atlanta reflects the pragmatic approach of a contending team balancing injuries and depth at a crucial defensive position.
For the teams involved, these additions symbolize attempts to stabilize rosters with experienced players who can fill immediate needs, particularly in pitching roles and catching. Performance during spring training and early regular-season innings will be key indicators of whether these veteran players can rise to the demands ahead. Moreover, each player’s progress will be closely watched by the remaining MLB clubs, given their histories of midseason moves and variable results, underscoring the competitive and high-stakes environment of professional baseball heading into 2026.
Source: Rangers bringing back Jordan Montgomery.https://t.co/5v0pVBfoQJ
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) February 11, 2026
LHP Jordan Montgomery has hired Wasserman’s Joel Wolfe & Nick Chanock as his agents, per sources.
Montgomery was one of the Boras Four, who were unsigned late into free agency.
I projected he would get 5 yrs, $106M and he eventually signed for 1 yr, $25M w/Arizona on March 26.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) April 11, 2024
Nathan Eovaldi is feeling good heading into spring training😎 | #AllForTX
He opened up on his surgery rehab and more on the SportsDay Rangers podcast: https://t.co/InjtkwEHgn pic.twitter.com/5IMqbBURxu
— SportsDay Rangers (@dmn_rangers) January 25, 2026
