There will be a familiar face returning to Globe Life Field in Arlington this season: Former 2023 MLB World Series pitcher left-hander Jordan Montgomery. Montgomery signed a one-year contract with his former team on Friday, Feb. 13.

During the Rangers’ World Series campaign, Montgomery posted a 3-1 record with a 2.90 ERA in five starts, including a crucial outing against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, going 6 1/3 innings with zero earned runs.

Montgomery was the saving grace for the Rangers, with the team acquiring him at the trade deadline after he spent time with the St. Louis Cardinals. He worked in tandem with Nathan Eovaldi to help lead the Rangers to victory.

However, the 33-year-old is currently fighting his way back from his second career Tommy John surgery, the first coming in 2018. The most recent surgery was done in April 2025.

Because of this major setback, Montgomery will have to work with manager Skip Schumaker and pitching coach Jordan Tiegs to assess where the team stands and evaluate the health of the rotation to determine the best plan to maximize his services.

One thing that will be different this time around is Montgomery not being able to work with pitching development specialist Mike Maddox.

Montgomery credited Maddox as being the person who helped him adjust his arsenal during the 2023 postgame conversation with Alex Rodriguez and the Fox Sports baseball analysts before he arrived in Texas. He previously worked with Maddox with the St. Louis Cardinals during the 2022 season.

Montgomery’s most dominant pitch is a sinker, according to Baseball Savant, and when paired with his curveball it forms a lethal weapon. As baseball fans recall, Montgomery famously struck out Yordan Alvarez three times during the 2023 postseason.

Here is where there may be cause for concern. If having one Tommy John surgery and coming back is tough, retaining command and velocity and being effective after two surgeries is definitely a significant challenge.

After the Rangers were eliminated from postseason contention last year, Montgomery, who is coming back healthy, may very well be a huge gamble for the organization. That's especially true when all ballclubs are chasing the Los Angeles Dodgers as they continue to fortify their roster to claim another pennant trophy.

According to MLB.com’s pitching depth chart for the Rangers, Montgomery is listed at the bottom. This is to be expected for a pitcher who has not taken the mound since 2024 with the Diamondbacks, posting an eyebrow-raising 6.23 ERA.

Just because Montgomery is at the bottom of the Rangers’ depth chart does not mean he will not have the opportunity to play a significant role as his health and the season progress.

If the Rangers are able to consistently produce on offense and get quality starts out of acquisitions like MacKenzie Gore, they have a fighting chance to clinch a postseason berth, where Montgomery may once again find himself relishing in postseason glory.

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