SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The last time Rangers fans saw Jordan Montgomery, he was lifting the World Series trophy at the parade outside of Globe Life Field in November 2023.
The two years since that day have not gone particularly well for either party. The Rangers were unable to defend their title and missed the postseason in both 2024 and ‘25. And Montgomery signed a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks before struggling to a 6.23 ERA over 117 innings in ‘24. The left-hander then underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2025 and hasn’t been on the mound since.
Now, the Rangers and Montgomery reunite, with both parties hoping to flush the past two years.
Montgomery, who the Rangers acquired at the 2023 Trade Deadline, became a legend in a short period of time during the World Series run.
Montgomery dealt seven scoreless innings against the Rays in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series and then he turned around to fire 6 1/3 scoreless against the Astros in the ALCS opener two weeks later. In total, he went 3-1 with a 2.90 ERA in six appearances that October (five starts), helping the Rangers to their first World Series title in franchise history.
Safe to say Montgomery is more than happy to get the band back together. Just about 10 months removed from his second Tommy John surgery, he seems happier than ever to be in Surprise.
“There's a lot of reasons [I’m back],” Montgomery told reporters on Friday. “Obviously, I love it here. Just the culture, knowing how comfortable I would be here. It was just like every arrow was pointing to Texas. I’ve been missing it a little bit. You always miss it. So I just couldn't be more excited to be back.”
Montgomery said he had other options in free agency, but that comfortability with the Rangers won out.
Montgomery has experience with Texas manager Skip Schumaker from his time as the bench coach in St. Louis in 2022. Montgomery and catcher Kyle Higashioka came up through the Yankees’ farm system together and were batterymates for five and a half years in the big leagues. There are still a ton of teammates that remain from his 2023 season in the clubhouse as well.
It was almost a no-brainer.
“We're excited to bring Jordan back,” Rangers general manager Ross Fenstermaker said. “Obviously, what we experienced together in ‘23 was pretty special. We feel confident with where he's at right now. Having our team physician, Dr. Meister, do the surgery, that he's in a good spot. We’re looking forward to that in the back of the mix here.”
Fenstermaker added that the tentative plan is to have Montgomery back in the rotation shortly after the Trade Deadline on Aug. 3, though timelines always remain fluid.
When reflecting on his two seasons away from Texas, Montgomery won’t make excuses for how his performance played out. But his arm was just not the same in 2024. Montgomery could not say for sure that the UCL was already torn that season, but physically, he was just not right.
“I was really just chasing my tail, trying to fix something mechanical that didn't exist,” Montgomery said. “It was frustrating. But I’ve got a new arm and some good people around me to get me back.
The No. 1 thing for Montgomery to return to his 2021-23 form -- when he was reliable as ever -- is health. In those three years, he made 30+ starts in each of those seasons, while posting an ERA under 4.00 each time. He also had FIP totals of 3.69, 3.61 and 3.56, respectively.
Montgomery is in a good place in his rehab timeline now. He feels stronger. He’s slimmed down, because -- in his own words -- “260 [pounds] worked when it worked, but it didn't work anymore.”
He’s doing everything he can to get back on the mound as soon as possible.
“I wouldn't say I've doubted myself and the pitcher I am, but when you're hurt, you just kind of do what you can, especially when you don't even know you're hurt,” Montgomery explained. “Definitely being here and having a little more comfortability, having my feet under me, having people around me that know me, it really adds a lot of value.”