Tigers make decision on Keider Montero fans had been waiting to see

The Tigers' offseason additions gave them one of the most formidable rotations in the American League. Framber Valdez was the top free agent starter on the market, and Justin Verlander is future Hall of Famer you can never count out.

Not a single Tigers fan would say that the rotation would've been better off if they didn't sign Valdez or Verlander and gave a couple of their depth arms more of an opportunity instead, but it's still disappointing when once-promising pitchers are given the boot.

On Wednesday, Keider Montero was the only casualty of the Tigers' third round of spring training roster cuts. He'll head to minor league camp after being assigned to Triple-A Toledo.

The rotation, after Valdez and Verlander's additions, is completely full. Even if the Tigers wanted to go to a sixth starter, Troy Melton and Drew Anderson would be the first to get the tap.

That left Montero the odd man out, and this decision doesn't come as much of a shock to Tigers fans. He's incredibly useful pitching depth that the Tigers can stash away in Triple-A until further notice — he has almost 200 innings worth of regular season experience and a little bit of postseason experience — but there was still some feeling that he might have a chance of cracking the Opening Day roster.

Tigers option Keider Montero to Triple-A in third round of spring training roster cuts

MLB.com's projected Tigers bullpen does include Montero as one of eight arms, but it's likely that his spot on the active roster will be used to accommodate Melton or Anderson.

No doubt we'll still see him at some point during the 2026 season. The Tigers were forced to use 39 pitchers last year (including position players) thanks to a rash on injuries for the pitching staff, and while we'll stay hopeful that it isn't quite so bad in 2026, Montero is reliable enough insurance.

He pitched 90 2/3 innings in a hybrid role in 2025 (20 games, 12 starts), and he held the fort for two of those agonizing innings against the Mariners in ALDS Game 5. He pitched a complete game shutout in his rookie season.

But his unsightly 9.00 ERA in spring training so far isn't a ringing endorsement. This way, he'll have some time to work on some things in Triple-A, and be a ready at a moment's notice to come up when the Tigers need him.