Keider Montero: Everything you need to know

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.

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.

Montero didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 10-6 loss to the Angels, giving up four runs on eight hits and a walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out seven. The right-hander was lifted after 89 pitches (57 strikes) having tied his season high in Ks, but Montero watched the bullpen implode to cost him his third win of the year. Montero has failed to complete six innings in three straight trips to the mound, and over five starts in May he managed a 4.18 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 16:10 K:BB through 28 innings. He'll continue plugging a hole in Detroit's injury-depleted rotation, with his next outing set to come on the road this weekend against the White Sox.