Tigers' Keider Montero: Takes loss against Baltimore
Rotowire
Montero (7-6) took the loss against the Orioles on Monday, allowing six runs (four earned) on nine hits and one walk while striking out one across 4.1 innings.
Montero put the Tigers on the back foot early by allowing four runs (two earned) through the first three frames before being tagged for two more runs in the fifth, which came from home runs from Leody Taveras and Coby Mayo. The four earned runs tied a season high that Montero set four times earlier in the year, and he now sports a 3.34 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 79:23 K:BB across 110.1 innings. His next start is lined up for this weekend on the road against the Athletics.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Fans eight in win
Rotowire
Montero (7-5) allowed one run on three hits and struck out eight without walking a batter over 5.1 innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Wednesday.
Montero was back in the rotation for the first time since he threw seven shutout innings June 26 versus the Astros. The right-hander had moved to the bullpen for much of July, but he could take claim of a starting role once again since Jack Flaherty (forearm) went on the injured list Tuesday and Casey Mize is dealing with groin tightness and a wrist issue. For the season, Montero has been a fine option in any role, pitching to a 3.14 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 78:22 K:BB through 106 innings over 22 appearances (16 starts). Assuming Montero remains the top option to cover a starting role in Flaherty's absence, the former is lined up for a home start versus the Orioles early next week.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Back in rotation this week
Rotowire
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that Montero will start Wednesday's series finale versus the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Jeff Seidel of the Detroit Free Press reports.
After entering the Detroit rotation in early April and submitting a 3.34 ERA over 15 starts, Montero was moved to the bullpen in late June once the Tigers got the likes of Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize and Jack Flaherty back from the injured list. Montero has taken well to the new relief role by delivering a 2.08 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 14:4 K:BB in 13 innings while notching two wins and one save over five appearances, but he'll temporarily slot back into the rotation while Hinch aims to build in extra rest for the team's other five starters amid a stretch of 13 games in 13 days. Hinch didn't commit to the six-man rotation lasting more than one turn, so Montero could shift back to the bullpen following Wednesday's start regardless of how he performs.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Earns win in relief
Rotowire
Montero (6-5) earned the win in relief Friday against the Angels after tossing 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out five without a walk.
Montero has posted excellent numbers in long relief since moving to the bullpen in late June. He's held the opposition scoreless in four of his five appearances out of the bullpen while posting a 2.08 ERA and 14:4 K:BB across 13 innings. Montero has been a valuable arm in fantasy this season and is showing he's capable of handling a swingman role. He had a 3.34 ERA across 15 starts earlier in the year and is now sporting a 2.51 ERA in six relief outings.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Earns win in relief Wednesday
Rotowire
Montero (5-5) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Wednesday's 6-2, extra-innings victory over the Yankees. He walked one and struck out three.
After blanking Houston across seven innings to earn a win as a starter Friday, Montero shifted back to the bullpen and continued to post zeroes. The righty certainly has more fantasy value in the rotation, but he's proving that he can capably handle a swing role and give the Tigers some length in relief when needed. For now, expect Montero to remain in the bullpen, though he is likely to pick up more starts as the season rolls along.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Moving back to bullpen
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Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Monday that Montero will move to the bullpen for the time being, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Montero did nothing to lose his spot, as he tossed seven shutout innings versus the Astros his last time out and holds a 3.34 ERA in 15 starts this season. However, Jack Flaherty returned from the injured list over the weekend, and the Tigers will roll with a five-man rotation for now. Montero should eventually be asked to make more starts, but for now he'll likely be used in long relief.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Blanks Houston in emotional win
Rotowire
Montero (4-5) picked up the win in Friday's 8-0 victory over the Astros, scattering five hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out three.
With his mind on the devastation back home after two recent earthquakes, the Venezuelan right-hander produced one of his best outings of the season en route to his seventh quality start of 2026. Montero fired 70 of 96 pitches for strikes, and Houston didn't even get a runner past second base until his final frame. Over five appearances (four starts) in June, Montero sports a 2.70 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB in 26.2 innings. Jack Flaherty (ankle) is expected to come off the IL this weekend with Justin Verlander (hamstring) potentially not far behind him, so the Tigers' rotation could get very crowded ahead of the All-Star break, but for now Montero is set to make his next start on the road next week against the Rangers.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Goes seven in no-decision
Rotowire
Montero didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the White Sox, allowing three runs on six hits over seven innings. He struck out three.
Montero was sharp in his return to the Tigers' rotation, as he held Chicago scoreless for five innings before giving up a two-run homer to Luisangel Acuna in the sixth inning and another run in the seventh. Montero's ERA now sits at 3.68 through 80.2 innings this season with a 1.00 WHIP and 53:17 K:BB. He figures to remain in the rotation going forward, with Justin Verlander (hamstring) expected to be sidelined for a while. Montero is tentatively lined up to face the Astros at home his next time out.
Montero will start Sunday's game against the White Sox in Detroit, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Justin Verlander (hip/hamstring) had been slated to return from the 60-day injured list to start Sunday's game, but he encountered a setback. Montero made a relief appearance Tuesday versus the Astros, but his other 13 outings this season have been starts. He's collected a 3.67 ERA and 50:17 K:BB over 73.2 frames this season. Verlander is expected to miss multiple weeks, so Montero is likely to get multiple turns in the Detroit rotation.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Makes move to bullpen
Rotowire
Montero dropped to 3-5 on the season after striking out two batters and allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits across 1.1 innings out out the bullpen in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Astros.
Montero had made all 13 of his previous appearances this season as a starter, but with Tarik Skubal returning from the injured list last weekend and both Casey Mize (adductor) and Justin Verlander (hip) on track to be activated Wednesday and Sunday, respectively, the Tigers no longer have room in the rotation for Montero for the time being. According to Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said prior to Tuesday's contest that Montero will remain in the bullpen for at least the next two series, though it's possible Detroit will expand its rotation to six to include the young right-hander when the club begins a stretch of 11 games is many days June 22. Despite a general lack of strikeouts (50 in 73.2 innings), Montero has been effective as a starter this season with a 3.61 ERA and 1.01 WHIP over 72.1 innings.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Hit hard in Saturday's loss
Rotowire
Montero (2-4) took the loss Saturday as the Tigers fell 4-0 to the Mariners, giving up four runs on six hits and and a walk over five innings. He struck out one.
Half the hits off the right-hander went for extra bases, including a solo homer by Dominic Canzone in the fourth inning. Montero has been tagged for four runs in three of his last five outings, a stretch in which he's stumbled to a 5.13 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB in 26.1 innings. With Tarik Skubal (elbow), Justin Verlander (hip) and Casey Mize (thigh) all closing in on returns from the IL in the next couple weeks, Montero's time in the Detroit rotation could be coming to an end very soon.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Smooth sailing in no-decision
Rotowire
Montero took a no-decision Sunday against the White Sox, allowing no runs on two hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out four.
Montero was cruising along on the hill Sunday, so it was somewhat surprising to see the Tigers pull him after he threw just 65 pitches (46 strikes). Sunday was the second time this year that the 25-year-old right-hander spun six innings of two-hit ball, and it was also the fourth time already this season that he pitched at least six frames while yielding one run or zero. Montero has emerged as a serviceable member of Detroit's rotation in 2026, posting a 3.69 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 43:15 K:BB across 61 innings.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: No-decision against Cincinnati
Rotowire
Montero did not factor into Sunday's decision against the Reds. He allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five across five innings.
Montero was handed an early 2-0 lead thanks to a two-run double from Kerry Carpenter in the first inning. However, Montero was unable to maintain that cushion, giving up solo home runs to Nathaniel Lowe and JJ Bleday in the second and fourth frames, respectively, before yielding an RBI double in the fifth. Luckily for Montero, the Tigers' batters scored six runs across the seventh and eighth innings, which was enough for the right-hander to avoid the loss. He has allowed at least three earned runs in each of his last three starts, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 16.2 innings in that span. Montero will look to get back into the win column in his next start, which is slated for next weekend at home against the Rangers.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Stuck with loss Tuesday
Rotowire
Montero (1-2) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on five hits and a walk over 5.2 innings as the Tigers fell 12-4 to the Brewers. He struck out three.
Montero was lifted after 88 pitches (55 strikes), coming up just short of his second quality start in four trips to the mound since joining the Detroit rotation. The 25-year-old right-hander has delivered a strong 3.68 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB through 22 innings, and with Justin Verlander (hip) not being rushed back into action, Montero should keep his current role into May. He's set to make his next start on the road this weekend in Cincinnati.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Fades late in no-decision
Rotowire
Montero did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Royals, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out five over six innings.
Montero looked solid early, building off his previous start in which he tossed six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts, but he ran into trouble late Thursday. Despite Thursday's line, Montero's underlying metrics remain excellent, as he ranks near the top of the league in xERA (1.20) and xwOBA (.173). He's slated to face Milwaukee in his next start Tuesday.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Dazzles in Friday's win
Rotowire
Montero (1-1) picked up the win in Friday's 2-0 victory over the Marlins, allowing two hits and a walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out seven.
Taking his second turn in the rotation in place of Justin Verlander (hip), Montero fired 55 of 80 pitches for strikes as he delivered his first quality start since July 7 of last season. The 25-year-old righty has looked very good since being called up, posting a 1.74 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB in 10.1 innings, a performance that takes the pressure off Detroit to get Verlander back on the mound quickly. The 43-year-old future Hall of Famer has a bullpen session scheduled for Saturday, and how he emerges from that will likely determine whether Montero will get the ball next week during a home series against the Royals.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Takes loss despite hot start
Rotowire
Montero (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out three over 4.1 innings.
Making his first start of the season in place of Justin Verlander (hip), Montero was sharp early, retiring 12 of the first 13 batters he faced and holding St. Louis scoreless through four innings. The right-hander ran into trouble in the fifth however, allowing three baserunners, including an RBI single from Pedro Pages that ended his outing. Both inherited runners eventually came around to score, accounting for his final line. Sunday's strong start was an encouraging sign for Montero after he posted a 4.37 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with 72 strikeouts across 90.2 innings in 2025 and he'll look to build on the early success in his next outing against a Miami lineup that has started the season swinging well.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Recalled from Toledo
Rotowire
The Tigers recalled Montero from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
The 25-year-old righty will join the big-league rotation as a replacement for Justin Verlander, who landed on the injured list Saturday with a hip injury. Montero made 20 appearances (12 starts) with the Tigers last season, posting a 4.37 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 90.2 innings. He began the 2026 campaign by throwing four shutout frames in Triple-A while allowing just one hit and one walk. He'll make his MLB season debut Sunday against the Cardinals.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Sent packing to minors camp
Rotowire
The Tigers optioned Montero to minor-league camp Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Montero had seemed to have a good shot to break camp in a long man or swingman role, so it's a surprise he's an early March cut. He struggled in his first two Grapefruit League outings but tossed three scoreless frames in Wednesday's exhibition contest against Team Panama. Even though he won't be with them on Opening Day, Montero remains likely to spend a large chunk of the season with the Tigers.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Picking up another start
Rotowire
Montero is slated to start Saturday's game against Atlanta at Comerica Park.
After being called up from Triple-A Toledo on Sept. 3, Montero made his first two appearances with the Tigers as a reliever before being called upon to make a start in Miami last Sunday. The right-hander acquitted himself well in that outing, earning a win while striking out five over five shutout innings. He'll be rewarded with another turn through the rotation as a result of his prior performance, and he could have a slightly longer leash after tossing just 76 pitches against the Marlins before being removed from the contest.
