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
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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
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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: Blanks Minnesota in win
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Montero (3-4) earned the win Thursday over the Twins, allowing four hits and a walk over 6.1 scoreless innings. He struck out four.
It was an impressive performance from Montero, who was provided with more than enough run support in an 11-0 Tigers win. It's the third time this year that Montero has held opponents scoreless for six or more innings, though it's just his second quality start in his last six outings -- the right-hander had posted a 5.13 ERA across 26.1 innings in five starts prior to Wednesday. Overall, Montero sports a 3.61 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP and 48:17 K:BB across 72.1 innings this season. He's tentatively lined up to face the Astros on the road his next time out.
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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
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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.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Cruises to victory
Rotowire
Motero (5-3) allowed three hits over five scoreless innings Sunday, striking out five and earning a win over the Marlins.
Montero gave up three singles and did not allow a runner to reach scoring position. He fell short of a quality start but tossed 50 strikes on 76 total pitches; it was his highest pitch count since July 25, which was his last MLB appearance before spending just over a month with Triple-A Toledo. Montero now owns a 4.32 ERA with a 63:27 K:BB through 83.1 MLB innings this season. He's lined up for a home start against Atlanta next weekend.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Drawing start Sunday
Rotowire
Montero will start for the Tigers during Sunday's game in Miami, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
For at least one turn, Montero will take the rotation spot of Sawyer Gipson-Long, who landed on the injured list Friday due to neck stiffness. Montero is no stranger to a starting role, as he's made nine starts (out of 17 appearances) this season and has completed as many as eight innings in a contest (May 8 against Colorado). Montero was dispatched to the minors in late July, and since returning to the big-league club Sept. 3, he's made two appearances in relief, allowing two earned runs with a 5:2 K:BB over five innings. Because he'll be pitching on just two days' rest after tossing 1.2 innings in Thursday's loss to the Yankees, Montero will likely be in line for an abbreviated workload during Sunday's start. Stavenhagen suggests that Jose Urquidy could be called upon to work multiple innings in relief behind Montero.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Back up with big club
Rotowire
The Tigers recalled Montero from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.
He'll join the 28-man active roster as a replacement for Chris Paddack, who was placed on the bereavement list. Montero will give the Tigers bullpen some much-needed length after their relievers had to cover five innings in Tuesday's 12-5 loss to the Mets.
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Tigers' Keider Montero: Allows five earned runs in loss
Rotowire
Montero (4-3) allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits across four innings to take the loss Friday against the Blue Jays. He struck out three.
Montero ran into a hot Toronto team and continued his recent stretch of poor performances. Over his last three outings, he's been tagged for 12 earned runs across 11.1 innings. In his three prior starts, Montero had looked a lot better, allowing just four earned runs over 16 innings. Overall, the 25-year-old has a 4.66 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 53 strikeouts across 73.1 innings this year. With Troy Melton getting called up for his MLB debut Wednesday. the Tigers could have some competition for the No. 5 spot in their rotation moving forward. That could squeeze Montero out, though he's also a candidate to start again in the near future if Melton struggles or if another starter sustains an injury.
