'Much better': DBacks' Jordan Montgomery feeling better after backfield game
With reporters surrounding him, Jordan Montgomery stood in front of his locker with a smile on his face. This has been something of a rare sight during his time with the Diamondbacks, but the left-hander had reason to be pleased on Thursday afternoon.
Montgomery threw parts of two innings in a simulated game. Unlike last weekend in Goodyear, he mostly threw strikes. He recorded outs. He felt more like himself.
“Much better,” he said.
After Montgomery gave up five runs in one-third of an inning on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds, the Diamondbacks opted to push Thursday’s outing into a backfield setting. They were wary about rain in the forecast and wanted to ensure he pitched — but they also liked the idea of a controlled environment.
Facing big-league veterans Geraldo Perdomo, Ildemaro Vargas and Ketel Marte and prospect Slade Caldwell, Montgomery didn’t exactly dominate, but he didn’t look overmatched, either.
With his fastball mostly in the 89-91 mph range, he worked the equivalent of 1 2/3 innings, walking two, striking out two and giving up four singles, none of them particularly hard hit.
“I thought, obviously, from where he was in the first outing, this was definitely a nice step,” pitching coach Brian Kaplan said. “He’s been working on it and he’s starting to feel it, being a little more in sync. Now we can add a little more power and confidence in it. He’s getting there.”
Montgomery remains the most intriguing storyline of camp. Coming off a brutal season last year in which he posted a 6.23 ERA in 117 innings, he exercised his player option to return for $22.5 million this year.
Montgomery is competing for the Diamondbacks’ final rotation spot with right-handers Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson. Both are less accomplished major-league pitchers but also are coming off far better 2024 seasons. What the Diamondbacks opt to do with Montgomery to start the year — particularly if he struggles again in the final weeks of camp — looms a major question for a club that missed the playoffs by just one game last year.
Montgomery thought he did a better job on Thursday of relaxing and not trying to force things to happen.
“The hitters get in the box and you’re just trying to jump to the plate,” he said of his last outing. “You’ve just got to be patient and let it happen. You aren’t going to throw strikes doing that. So just trying to break that habit.”
Montgomery liked that he was able to get immediate feedback from his teammates. He chatted afterward with Perdomo, who told him his sinker was “heavy and moving late.” Montgomery laughed when recalling how Perdomo asked why he didn’t throw it more.
“‘Because I’ve got to work on everything, Gerry,’” Montgomery said. “But, yeah, good feedback. I liked the curveball. Just a step in the right direction.”
Montgomery’s next outing is likely to be back in the Cactus League, Kaplan said, perhaps on Wednesday.
“He wants to create a better narrative out here and contribute to the team,” Kaplan said. “He knows how talented the team is. I think he was a little frustrated at what he was able to contribute based on the first outing. He wants to do more. I think he’s heading in that direction.”
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Much better': Diamondbacks' Montgomery encouraged by backfield game
11h ago |
-
Fran Fraschilla on Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla's coaching evolution
Better set plays, better rotations, better game management, and better overall schema have been the hallmark of Mazzulla this season.Yahoo Sports - 2h -
Syrians Demand Better Protection Amid a Spate of Kidnappings
When the new government took over, it dismissed the Assad regime police and other forces, leaving a security vacuum. Now, many residents fear going out after dark.The New York Times - 4d -
Good Job Games raises $23M to make better match-3 games in Turkiye
Good Job Games, a fast-growing mobile game company based in Turkey, has secured $23 million in a seed funding round.VentureBeat - 2d -
Bayern coach Kompany says Kane 'better with age'
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane earned praise from coach Vincent Kompany on Tuesday after scoring one goal and setting up another in a 2-0 victory at Bayer Leverkusen that saw them book their ...ESPN - 1d -
15-inch MacBook Air (M4, 2025) Review: Bluer and Better
The latest 15-inch MacBook Air is bluer and better than ever before—and it dropped in price.Wired - 2d -
Whatever the Seahawks’ Plan Is After Trading Geno Smith, It Better Work
The franchise shipped its established starting quarterback away for a late Day 2 draft pick. What’s going on in Seattle?The New York Times - 5d -
Researchers Propose a Better Way to Report Dangerous AI Flaws
After identifying major flaws in popular AI models, researchers are pushing for a new system to identify and report bugs.Wired - 19h -
Nvidia’s GTC keynote will emphasize AI over gaming
Don't expect to hear a lot about better framerates and raytracing at the Nvidia GTC keynote. AI will instead be the subject of the day.VentureBeat - 12h -
WATCH: Navy player ejected after landing low-blow on American opponent in Patriot League title game
Navy guard Jordan Pennick was ejected and drew jeers from American fansCBS Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Trafford called up by Three Lions
Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford is named in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.Yahoo Sports - 6m -
Facing Chelsea 'not an easy task' says Cushing
Interim Manchester City manager Nick Cushing admits he is jumping in at the deep end as he prepares to face Chelsea four times in a row.Yahoo Sports - 8m -
Six Nations permutations: How England could win title
France’s stunning win against Ireland in Dublin has blown the Six Nations Championship wide open for the final weekend.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Pick your England XI for World Cup qualifiers
Who would you select to start for England in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Thomas Tuchel's first matches in charge?Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Guerschon Yabusele on his journey: Three years after being drafted, I had no team
Guerschon Yabusele: After China, when I went back to France, I didn’tYahoo Sports - 15m
More in Sports
-
Trafford called up by Three Lions
Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford is named in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.Yahoo Sports - 6m -
Facing Chelsea 'not an easy task' says Cushing
Interim Manchester City manager Nick Cushing admits he is jumping in at the deep end as he prepares to face Chelsea four times in a row.Yahoo Sports - 8m -
Six Nations permutations: How England could win title
France’s stunning win against Ireland in Dublin has blown the Six Nations Championship wide open for the final weekend.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Pick your England XI for World Cup qualifiers
Who would you select to start for England in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Thomas Tuchel's first matches in charge?Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Men's pound-for-pound rankings: Where does Bivol land after win? How about 'Tank' Davis?
A lot of movement in the top 10, including the return of Junto Nakatani, and Dmitry Bivol jumping over Artur Beterbiev. Here are the latest ESPN P4P rankings.ESPN - 13m