Michael Paul Montgomery graduated from Hart (CA) High School and was committed to Cal State-Fullerton before signing with Kansas City...Selected by the Kansas City Royals in the first round (36th overall) of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft...Signed by the New York Mets as a minor league free agent on February 14, 2020...Recorded the final out of the 2016 World Series, inducing a Michael Martinez groundout to third base that ended the Chicago Cubs' 108-year title drought...It was the first save of his professional career.
2020
Landed on the Injured List after making his first start of the season...Returned two months later to make two scoreless relief appearances (3.1 innings) in the final week of the season.
2019
Had a 16.88 ERA (5 ER in 2.2 IP) over his first four appearances of the season with the Cubs, before being placed on the 10-day IL from April 6-May 8 with a strained left lat muscle ... Had a 2.20 ERA (4 ER in 16.1 IP) over his first 13 appearances following his return, including a win in 5.0 scoreless innings of relief on May 9 vs. Miami ... Appeared in just three of the Cubs' 19 games from June 22-July 15, allowing eight runs on 10 hits in 8.0 innings ... Acquired by Kansas City on July 15 for catcher Martín Maldonado ... Made 13 appearances with the Royals, all as a starter, going 2-7 with a 4.64 ERA (33 ER in 64.0 IP)…he was 1-2 with a 5.67 ERA (17 ER in 27.0 IP) in 20 relief appearances with Chicago ... In his first start with Kansas City on July 19 in Cleveland, he suffered a 10-5 loss after allowing five runs in 2.0 innings on 45 pitches (averaged 24.7 pitchers per outing with Chicago) ... In his next eight starts, he went 2-4 despite a 2.84 ERA (14 ER in 44.1 IP), allowing one earned run or fewer five times ... From July 25-Sept. 3, his 2.84 ERA (14 ER in 44.1 IP) ranked seventh in the American League ... Had a career-high 12 strikeouts with no walks in 7.0 scoreless innings on Aug. 10 at Detroit to earn his first win as a Royal… he became just the third Royal to record at least 12 strikeouts with no walks in a game, joining Zack Greinke (June 12, 2010 at Cincinnati) and Luke Hochevar (July 25, 2009 vs. Texas)… Montgomery was one of two left-handers in the Majors in 2019 to record 12 strikeouts and no walks in 7.0 scoreless innings, joining Chris Sale, who did it on June 5 at Kansas City and Aug. 8 vs. the Angels ... Named Royals Pitcher of the Month for August, his first full month with the team, in which he posted a 2.45 ERA (8 ER in 29.1 IP) with 31 strikeouts, including a streak of 15.0 consecutive innings in which he did not allow an earned run ... Completed 5.0 innings just once in his last four starts, in which he went 0-2 with a 7.13 ERA (14 ER in 17.2 IP) ... Issued just three walks (1.16 BB/9) and had 24 strikeouts (9.26 K/9) in 23.1 innings over his first four starts with the Royals, but walked 18 (3.98 BB/9) with just 27 strikeouts (5.98 K/9) over his last eight starts (40.2 IP) ... Went 2-4 in his home ballparks, despite a 2.32 ERA (13 ER in 50.1 IP), the sixth-best home ERA in the Majors (min. 50.0 IP) ... In seven starts at Kauffman Stadium, he went 1-3 despite a 2.68 ERA (11 ER in 37.0 IP) and allowed two runs or fewer in six of seven starts, but he received a total of 11 runs of support in those outings (2.68 run support average) ... Left-handed batters hit .452 (38-for-84) vs. him, after hitting just .223 (85-for-382) from 2016-18.
2018
Mike made a career-high 19 starts in addition to 19 relief outings ... went a combined 5-6 with a 3.99 ERA (55 ER/124.0 IP) in 38 games ... Became the first Cub with at least 19 starts and 19 relief appearances since Glendon Rusch (19 starts, 27 relief outings) in 2005 ... Went 5-5 with a 3.69 ERA (40 ER/97.2 IP) as a starter, compared to 0-1 with a 5.13 ERA (15 ER/26.1 IP) in 19 relief outings ... Stepped into the starting rotation, May 28, and made only one relief appearance the rest of the season ... Made his first start of the season, May 28 at Pittsburgh … retired the first 13 batters and finished with 5.2-scoreless innings ... Pitched at least 5.0 innings and allowed one or fewer runs in each of his first five starts … was the first Cubs pitcher to do so since at least 1913 ... Tossed seven quality starts and the Cubs went 10-9 in his 19 starts ... Allowed just two hits in each of his first two starts (May 28 and June 2), extending his streak to five-consecutive starts with two-or-fewer hits dating back to September 9, 2017, the longest streak by any Cubs starter since at least 1908 ... Beginning May 28, he ranked third among Cubs starters (min. 10 starts) in ERA (3.65), trailing only Kyle Hendricks (3.56) and Cole Hames (2.36) ... Limited lefties to a .250 average (33-for-132), while righties batted .281 (98-for-349) ... Limited opponents to a .391 slugging percentage, including a .356 mark by lefties ... Pitched a team-high 35.0 innings in June, tied for sixth-most among N.L. pitchers ... Limited opposing hitters to just a .202 average with runners in scoring position ... Twice pitched 3.0 innings of relief: April 20 at Colorado (5 H, 1 R) and May 6 at St. Louis (0 R) ... Struck out a season-high eight batters, September 18 at Arizona ...allowed just one run on four hits in 6.0 innings in the Cubs 9-1 win ... Missed time on the disabled list from August 14-30 with left shoulder inflammation ... marked his first-career disabled list stint.
2017
In his first full season with Chicago, Mike went 7-8 with a 3.38 ERA (49 ER/130.2 IP) in 44 outings (14 starts)... Went 2-3 with a 2.49 ERA (17 ER/61.1 IP) as a reliever compared to 5-5 with a 4.15 ERA (32 ER/69.1 IP) as a starter ... is just the second Cubs pitcher in the last 25 seasons to start at least 10 games while recording 30 relief outings in a season, joining Carlos Villanueva in 2013 (15 starts, 32 relief appearances)... Became the first Cubs pitcher since Randy Martz in 1981 to make at least 12 starts and also record three saves as a reliever ... Martz started 14 games and notched six saves... Went 6-2 with a 2.95 ERA after the All-Star Break after going 1-6 with a 3.75 ERA in the season's first half ... won a career-best four-straight decisions, July 19-August 28... Was inserted into the starting rotation, June 9, after Kyle Hendricks was placed on the disabled list ... made eight starts with the club before moving back into the bullpen following his start, July 19 ... rejoined the rotation from August 23-September 9 and made starts on September 19 and October 1... Recorded eight-straight scoreless outings, April 19-May 13 (17.0 IP)... Notched three saves of at least 3.0 innings, becoming the first Cubs pitcher since Paul Assenmacher in 1990 with at least three nine-out saves... Recorded a 4.0-inning save, May 25 vs. San Francisco, allowing just one hit, one walk and no runs in the Cubs' 5-1 win ... was the first 4.0 inning save by a Cubs pitcher without allowing any runs since Kent Bottenfield, July 4, 1997 at Philadelphia... Limited batters to a .181 average (19-for-105) with runners in scoring position... Opponents hit .196 (9-for-46) in his third time through the lineup, sixth-best in the N.L. among pitchers with at least 50 batters faced in those situations... Went 2-0 with a save and a 1.73 ERA (5 ER/26.0 IP) in eight August outings, including two starts... Hit his first-career homer, July 19 at the Braves ... earned the win in the Cubs' 8-2 triumph (6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER)... Pitched a season-high 7.0 innings, August 28 vs. Pittsburgh, allowing just one run on six hits in the Cubs' 6-1 victory... Tossed six quality starts ... took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing a solo homer, September 19 at Tampa Bay (6.0 IP, H, ER, 6 SO)... Appeared in five postseason games, allowing nine runs in 4.1 innings.
2016
Mike was acquired by the Cubs, July 20, and went 1-1 with a 2.82 ERA (12 ER/38.1 IP) in 17 games, five as a starter ... went a combined 4-5 with a 2.52 ERA (28 ER/100.0 IP) in 49 games with Seattle and the Cubs ... Posted a 3.33 ERA (9 ER/24.1 IP) and no record in five starts with the Cubs, while going 1-1 with two holds and a 1.93 ERA (3 ER/14.0 IP) in 12 relief efforts ... did not allow a run in his final nine relief outings (11.1 IP) ... In his first start with the Cubs, August 20 at Colorado, he took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before allowing a solo homer with one out in the fifth ... was removed following the homer ... On the season, he held lefties to a .183 mark (21-for-115) while righties batted .236 (58-for-246) ... Had a groundball percentage of 60.6, ranking second-highest on the Cubs (min. 10 games pitched) ... Went 3-4 with a 2.34 ERA (16 ER/61.2 IP) in 32 appearances, all but two in relief, with the Mariners ... he struck out 54 batters and walked only 18 in 61.2 innings, contributing to a 1.09 WHIP ... Threw a season-high 91 pitches, August 26 at the Dodgers … tossed a season-high 6.1 innings July 10 at Kansas City ... Recorded his first-career hit and RBI, September 15 vs. Milwaukee ... Earned the win in Game Four of the NLCS at Los Angeles ... became just the third relief pitcher in LCS history to earn the win and have a hit … the others: Nolan Ryan (two hits) for the Mets in game three of the 1969 NLCS against Atlanta and Dick Hall (one hit) for the Orioles in game one of the 1970 ALCS at Minnesota (thanks to Elias) ... Pitched 2.0-scoreless innings in Game Two of the World Series, while permitting only two hits and a walk and adding four punchouts ... became the second Cubs reliever to pitch at least 2.0-scoreless frames in a World Series game, joining Pat Malone in Game Three of the 1932 World Series ... Recorded the final out of the World Series, inducing Michael Martinez into a 5-3 putout, helping the Cubs to their first championship in 108 years ... marked his first-career professional save in the regular season or postseason ... Tossed 14.1 innings in the postseason, third-most among all relievers ... went 1-1 with a save, two holds and a 3.14 ERA (5 ER/14.1 IP).
2015
Totals - Was 4-6, 4.60 ERA (46 ER, 90.0 IP) in 16 starts. ... Good Start - Went 4-2, 1.62 ERA (9 ER, 50.0 IP) in first 7 starts of season (June 2-July 5). ... Tough Finish - Went 0-4, 8.33 ERA (37 ER, 40.0 IP) over final 9 starts (July 10-Aug. 25). ... Reverse Splits - Held righthanders to .246 (65x264) average; left-handers (.303/27x89). ... Back to Tacoma - Optioned to AAA Tacoma Aug. 29 where he finished the season. ... MLB Debut - Made MLB debut June 2 vs. NYY, recording a no-decision (6.0,4,1,1, 2,4). ... Back-to-Back Shutouts - Tossed back-to-back shutouts June 23 vs. Kansas City and June 30 at San Diego…7th time in club history a pitcher has thrown consecutive shutouts, and first time since Freddy Garcia July 1 & July 6, 2001. ... Scoreless Streak - Tossed 20.0 consecutive scoreless innings June 23-July 5…2ndlongest scoreless streak by Mariners rookie pitcher (Mark Langston, 21.0 in 1984). ... 1-Hitter - Recorded 10th 1-hitter in club history June 30 at San Diego, and first since Jarrod Washburn on July 6, 2009 vs. Baltimore…was the 13th 1-hit shutout in club history. ... Back-to-Back Shutouts - First rookie pitcher to throw back-to-back shutouts since Cleveland's Jeremy Sowers in 2006…12th rookie since 1980 with back-to-back shutouts. ... First Win - Earned first MLB win in his third career start June 13 at Houston ... Fully Monty - Tossed first career shutout June 23 vs. Kansas City (9.0,4,0,0,0,10)… became the first LHP in club history to throw a shutout with 10 or more strikeouts without allowing a walk (2,235th start by a left-handed pitcher in club history). ... Rookie Rarity - Shutout vs. the Royals marked only second time a rookie threw a shutout without walking a batter and at least 10 strikeouts against team that went to World Series the previous season…joined Yankees Stan Bahnsen (8/1/68 vs. BOS - 3 H, 0 BB, 12 K). ... That Didn't Take Long - Shutout vs. the Royals on June 23 came in his 5th career start/ game…became 4th pitcher in modern history (since 1900) to record a shutout with 10 or more strikeouts and zero walks within the first 5 career appearances…joined Kerry Wood (CHI, 5/6/98 vs. HOU), Dennis Ribant (NYM, 8/17/64 vs. PIT) and Doc Ayers (WAS, 1913). ... 6 Starts, 2 Shutouts - According to the Elias Sports Bureau, became the 4th pitcher over the last 40 years to record at pair of shutouts within the first 6 starts of a career: Fernando Valenzuela (1981), Orel Hershiser (1984) and Jeremy Sowers (2006). ... AAA Tacoma - Made 11 starts with AAA Tacoma going 4-3, 4.13 ERA (30 ER, 65.1 IP). ... Welcome - Acquired from Tampa Bay on March 31 in exchange for RHP Erasmo Ramirez…optioned to AAA Tacoma where he opened the season
2014
His career-high 10 wins for Triple-A Durham were 2nd most among International League southpaws...he had been 17-32 in his previous three seasons...Combined with Brad Boxberger to throw the 17th no-hitter in franchise history (6th combined no-hitter), a 5-0 win vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Yankees) on April 26...hurled 8.1 innings and allowed only a walk to former Ray Russ Canzler...retired the final 22 batters he faced, but came out after a season-high 106 pitches...Boxberger recorded the final 2 outs...Allowed 3 runs or fewer in 21 of his 25 starts...lost only once in his first 17 starts (9-1 with a 3.21 ERA in the first half of the season), but was 1-4 with a 7.63 ERA in 8 second-half starts...Named to the IL midseason All-Star Team...Made one postseason start, Game 4 of the best-of-five Governors' Cup finals vs. Pawtucket...pitched 6 innings (3-H, 1-R/ER, 6-BB, 6-SO) and left with a 2-1 lead, giving Durham a chance to win the championship...bullpen failed to hold the lead and the Bulls lost, 4-2, in 13 innings...Durham lost Game 5, as well, and Pawtucket became IL champions...For a fourth straight season, was chosen by Baseball America as having the Best Changeup in his organization...was selected for the same honor in the Royals system after the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
2013
Spent his first season in the Rays organization with Triple-A Durham…made 19 starts and 1 relief appearance for Durham despite missing more than a month with left forearm tightness after his season debut…returned to Durham on May 23 following two rehab starts for Class-A Charlotte... Held left-handed hitters to a .230 avg. (20-for-87) with only 1 HR…right-handed batters hit .278 (91-for-327) with 8 HR... On June 7 at Indianapolis (Pirates), threw 7 innings without allowing a hit…a double in the 8th inning off reliever Juan Sandoval spoiled the combined no-hit bid... Following the season he was chosen by Baseball America for a third straight season as having the Best Changeup in his organization…was selected for the same honor in the Royals system after the 2011 and 2012 seasons... Pitched for the Salt River Rafters in the Arizona Fall League after the regular season…posted a 2.57 ERA in 9 relief apps (14-IP, 12-H, 7-R, 4-ER, 4-BB, 14-SO)…named to the AFL Rising Stars Game.
2012
Opened the year with Triple-A Omaha (Royals) but was transferred to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on July 13...made 17 starts for Omaha and 10 for Northwest Arkansas, going a combined 5-12 with a 6.07 ERA (149.2-IP, 101-ER)...Compiled a 4.38 ERA (51.1-IP, 25-ER) over his first nine starts, through May 21...after that had a 6.96 ERA (98.1-IP, 76-ER) in 18 starts...Opposing right-handed batters hit .276, while left-handed hitters batted .342...Following the season and before the trade, was rated by MLB.com as the No. 6 prospect in the Royals organization...selected as Best Changeup in the Royals system by Baseball America for a second straight season...had entered the season rated by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Royals system and No. 23 prospect in baseball.
2011
Spent the entire season with Omaha (AAA) and had an up and down campaign...his 129 strikeouts were third in the circuit … Was 3-5 with a 4.06 ERA in 16 starts at Werner Park in Omaha, but just 2-6 with a 7.34 ERA in road PCL parks … Was rated as the seventh-best prospect in the Pacific Coast League by Baseball America and the best prospect in the Royals chain entering 2012...also rated as having the "Best Changeup" in the organization.
2010
Opened the season with Wilmington (A Advanced), allowing just 3 earned runs in 4 starts (24.2 IP) before quickly being promoted to NW Arkansas (AA)…Was 5-4 with a 3.47 ERA in 13 starts for the Naturals, was a Texas League All-Star and was rated as the third-best prospect in the Texas League by Baseball America...Missed a month of the season with left elbow soreness before making 3 rehab starts with the Surprise Royals in late July...Was one of a record six Royals farmhands to represent Team USA at the Pan American Games Qualifying Tournament...was 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA (10.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 14 SO) in 2 starts as Team USA finished tied for third and qualified for the 2011 Pan Am Games as well as the 2011 World Cup...Capped 2010 playing for Surprise in the Arizona Fall League...was the starting pitcher in the AFL's Rising Stars Game and following the season, was rated by Baseball America as the league's fifth-best prospect...Rated by MLB.com as the 14th-best prospect and by ESPN.com as the 28th-best in baseball entering 2011.
