Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery won’t get a chance to rebound after a tough 2024 season. Montgomery will undergo season-ending elbow surgery. It ends his 2025 season after only three innings thrown during Cactus League action.
Jordan Montgomery told media members on March 25 that he’ll undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his 2025 season. Thanks to the traditionally long rehab schedule for that surgery, it’s likely Montgomery won’t be able to pitch until at least the middle of 2026.
Montgomery struggled to get results last season, as the Arizona left-hander posted a 6.23 ERA last season. The 32-year-old was left on the market until March 26, 2024, leaving Montgomery little time to ramp up. He made his 2024 season debut on April 19 and posted decent numbers, including a 2.77 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across his first two starts.
Last year was a strange one, though, for the 2023 World Series champion. Montgomery posted a very strong 33.2% Chase% last season and actually ranked above-average in whiffs. However, Montgomery had issues with keeping his changeup out of the zone and finishing batters off. Not to mention, a loss in velocity.
It’s worth noting that Montgomery’s velocity was considerably down in the spring, during the three cumulative innings he pitched before the 25th. Last season, his two-seamer had a mean average of 91.8, down sharply from the 93.3 MPH he registered in 2023.
This spring with the Diamondbacks, Montgomery was down to 89.7 MPH.
Montgomery wasn’t scheduled to be in Arizona’s rotation to begin 2025. The Diamondbacks named Zac Gallen the Opening Day starter once more. The rest of the rotation includes Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Corbin Burnes. Burnes is the team’s technical #5 starter, as Arizona wanted to keep him on a regular schedule.
Montgomery will be a free agent after the 2025 season. Given precedent for arms like Shane Bieber and Patrick Sandoval, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Montgomery get a two-year deal in the winter with the expectation he won’t be ready for some time next season.
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