The Texas Rangers took what could only be described as a good old-fashioned flier on left-hander Jordan Montgomery.

Texas signed Montgomery to a one-year contract during spring training for considerably less than he likely would have received on the open market if he had been healthy.

Because Montgomery was recovering from Tommy John surgery, which erased his entire 2025 season, the Rangers were able to bring him back at a reduced price.

Texas also understood that patience would be required. Montgomery still needed to complete his recovery and gradually rebuild his workload before returning to MLB competition.

The Rangers may have initially envisioned him rejoining the starting rotation. However, by the time Montgomery was ready, the bullpen had become the best place for him.

He made 13 relief appearances and went 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 26 innings.

Those numbers may not appear to offer much of a foundation for the future, particularly because Montgomery is a 33-year-old left-hander who will return to free agency this offseason.

Montgomery primarily relies on a sinker, change-up and curveball. That repertoire allows his fastball to function as a complementary pitch while helping him generate weak contact and convince hitters to chase pitches outside the strike zone.

During his previous stint with Texas in 2023, when he helped the Rangers win the World Series, Montgomery produced an above-average walk rate and chase rate.

Even while struggling with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024, his chase rate and barrel rate remained respectable.

Montgomery went 8-7 with a 6.23 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 117 innings over 25 appearances (21 starts). Hitters still encountered difficulty against his pitches, although not to the same extent as they had in 2023.

The 26 innings Montgomery pitched this season represent a limited sample. Nevertheless, he rediscovered the approach that previously made him effective.

Montgomery possesses pitches that remain difficult to hit. He rarely issues walks, while hitters who make contact frequently fail to square him up. That weak contact often produces ground balls.

Such an approach can succeed in any ballpark and should encourage the Rangers to pursue another contract with Montgomery for 2027.

His return from Tommy John surgery also demonstrated patience and adaptability. Montgomery spent an entire season unable to pitch, completed a lengthy rehabilitation process and accepted a bullpen assignment after building most of his career as a starter.

That transition required him to prepare differently and attack hitters without the extended margin for adjustment available during a start.

Montgomery does not depend on overwhelming velocity. His effectiveness comes from changing speeds, disrupting timing and locating pitches where hitters cannot produce authoritative contact.

That method gives him a pathway to contribute as a multi-inning reliever, spot starter or rotation candidate. The Rangers would not need to guarantee him one role immediately.

Re-signing Montgomery would carry some risk because of his age, recent surgery and small 2026 workload. However, his familiarity with Texas and willingness to adapt make another short-term agreement worthwhile.