Detroit Tigers rookie Keider Montero ready for multi-start opportunity in rotation

MINNEAPOLIS — Detroit Tigers right-hander Keider Montero has pitched three games in his MLB career, but for the first time Wednesday, the rookie wasn't sent down to Triple-A Toledo after his outing.

The Tigers are giving Montero runway in the starting rotation. It's the first multi-start opportunity for Montero to prove he can stick in the big leagues.

"It's something so big," Montero said in Spanish, though interpreter Carlos Guillén. "It's something I've been working so hard for so many years. I'm going to give 100% of myself to earn it."

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Montero, who turns 24 on Saturday, took a step in the right direction in Wednesday's 9-2 win over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. He allowed two runs on six hits and one walk (two hit-by-pitches) with four strikeouts across 6⅓ innings, throwing 80 pitches.

"I felt very good," Montero said. "Everything I did is part of the process, and in the end, it's going to show some results. The most important part is that I was able to help this team to get a win."

He gave up a solo home run to Christian Vázquez in the third inning and an RBI single to Brooks Lee in the seventh inning, but other than those moments, Montero stranded runners. There were runners on base in six of his seven innings, but the Twins scored just two runs.

Montero stayed calm in every situation.

He pitched like he belonged.

"He seems to be pretty poised," said catcher Carson Kelly, who hit a grand slam in the third inning. "It's good to see that in a young player. I think he's going to continue to get better and better."

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In three games, Montero has a 6.60 ERA with five walks and 15 strikeouts across 15 innings for the Tigers. His fastball averages 95.5 mph, but his curveball and slider are above-average secondary weapons with elite upside, both better than his changeup. He also had a 5.03 ERA with 30 walks and 54 strikeouts across 48⅓ innings in 13 games with Triple-A Toledo.

Montero allowed four runs in 4⅓ innings May 29 and five runs in 4⅓ innings June 26 before posting 6⅓ innings of two-run ball Wednesday against the Twins as an official member of the rotation. He credited better breaking balls for his success.

"This time, he looks settled in," manager A.J. Hinch said. "He knows his role. He knows he's here and getting a couple starts before anything else can happen. It's nice to see him take a deep breath, and that comes from a couple of outings."

The latest game led to a ritualistic celebration in the visitor's clubhouse with his teammates.

They were celebrating Montero's first MLB win.

"It feels very special," Montero said.

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All eyes will be on Montero for his next start when he clashes with the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park, especially after a successful performance against the Twins to kickstart a big opportunity.

"It's going to be a completely different opponent," Hinch said. "They're going to load the lineup with lefties. He's going to have a different attack plan. The maturity of a starting pitcher, and why it's so difficult, the maturity that's needed is the different attack plan literally five days apart, so maybe more breaking balls, maybe more changeups."

Kerry Carpenter returns to Detroit

Outfielder Kerry Carpenter (lumbar spine stress fracture) traveled with the Tigers to Minneapolis for Tuesday's series opener against the Twins, but at some point between Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon, he left the team.

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Carpenter returned to Detroit.

The 26-year-old won't finish the 10-game road trip with the Tigers because he suffered a setback — described as "some increased discomfort" by the Tigers — in his recovery after a week of baseball activities, forcing him to be shut down.

"He's handled it fine," Hinch said. "I think his frustration is like all of ours, that he wants it to be better faster, and it's just a slow-healing injury, and until he's pain free, we can't advance him to the next step. He's trying to do his best to respond, but when he still feels symptoms, we have to address them."

Javier Báez, a Mud Hen

Shortstop Javier Báez (lumbar spine inflammation) has played two games for Triple-A Toledo during his rehab assignment. The 31-year-old went 1-for-2 with one walk as the designated hitter in Tuesday's game, then 0-for-3 with two strikeouts as the shortstop in Wednesday's game.

"I texted back and forth with Javy," Hinch said. "He was happy with how he felt. I joked with him that he walked in his first at-bat, that's a great start. It was nice to see him on the field and hear him happy. It's a good step in the right direction."

Báez won't be in Thursday's lineup with the Mud Hens.

It's a scheduled off day for him.

After that, Báez will play shortstop Friday for the Mud Hens. He is expected to play Saturday, as well.

Báez could return to the Tigers for Monday's series opener against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park. Either way, he is all but guaranteed to return before the All-Star break.

Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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