Montero's MLB Debut: Navigating the Tigers' Rotation

0:00On April 7th, Carter Montero just got called up to the Detroit Tigers' big league rotation after hanging in AAA with the Toledo mudhins. He was prepping for a start in Syracuse when the manager pulled him aside right before game time, telling him to pack his bags for the majors. This 20-something right-hander from Venezuela steps in as the easy pick with Troy Melton sidelined by injury. Montero's no stranger to these shuttle rides between levels. Last season alone, he bounced up six times, grabbing spot starts and double headers and holding a rotation slot for about six weeks in May and June. Down the stretch, he locked in as a reliever, even helping the Tigers battle through extra innings in their division series against Seattle. Manager AJ Hinch praises how Montero handles the ups and downs without complaint. He calls it a bizarre role, but vital for teams needing that six starter to navigate tight schedules and keep everyone fresh. Hinch says Montero trusts the process and knows he's part of the long-term plan.

1:01Even if the stays are short. In his latest outing Sunday against the Cardinals, Montero kept him quite early but gave up four runs in the fifth, including a key slider that hung for an RBI hit. Still, two of those runs weren't earned, showing his mid-90s fastball and sharp breaking stuff can dominate when consistent. With Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander anchoring the top, Montero gets at least two more turns, facing the Marlins this weekend and another next. Week before the 43-year-old Verlander returns. Hinch is proud of his maturity, and if he keeps pushing, this could be the stretch that sticks for good. From around the league, powered by AI, this is MLB News Today. I'm Corey with The Story.