Sports

Jordan Montgomery's Return and Its Impact on Rangers' Rotation Strategy

Jordan Montgomery has successfully completed his rehabilitation, showcasing readiness to rejoin the Texas Rangers' primary pitching rotation. His recent performance for Triple-A Round Rock, where he reached a new high in pitch count and extended his innings, signals a pivotal moment for the team's strategic outlook.

Montgomery's Impending Return to Bolster Rangers' Pitching Staff

In a significant development for the Texas Rangers, pitcher Jordan Montgomery concluded his rehabilitation assignment on Saturday, July 26, 2026. During his seventh and likely final rehab start for the Triple-A Round Rock Express, Montgomery successfully threw 75 pitches, extending his outing into the fifth inning. This marks his most substantial workload since beginning his rehabilitation program. He faced the Albuquerque Isotopes, surrendering just one run on five hits, demonstrating effective control with his primary sinker and curveball, while also integrating his full array of pitches. His fastball consistently averaged 90.6 mph, aligning with his performance throughout the rehab period.

Montgomery's successful return positions him as a strong candidate to re-enter the Rangers' rotation as early as next week, potentially during their series in Tampa. This would enable the Rangers to momentarily adopt a six-man rotation, strategically providing extra recovery time for star pitchers Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. Such a move is crucial, as it would allow deGrom and Eovaldi to be optimally rested for the opening games of an upcoming pivotal series against the Houston Astros.

Concurrently, fellow left-hander Cody Bradford has been making strides, having pitched three scoreless innings for the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders on Friday. Bradford, who allowed three hits and struck out four, has maintained a flawless record of no runs or walks in his last two appearances. Although he has not yet exceeded three innings or 57 pitches in an outing, the Rangers are focused on building up his stamina, viewing him as a valuable future option for the starting rotation.

Montgomery's imminent return is a game-changer for the Rangers, offering enhanced depth and strategic flexibility to their pitching lineup as they approach a critical phase of the season.