ARLINGTON -- Keider Montero worked three scoreless innings on Saturday to earn what was described as his first Major League save in Detroit’s 3-0 victory over Texas.
Yet, he managed to avoid the beer showers the Tigers have been throwing to celebrate milestones, a tradition as old as the game itself.
“They were about to do it,” Montero said with a big smile. “We were giving high-fives from the dugout on the way to the clubhouse, and they mentioned that to me. I said, ‘No, I already [had a big league save].’ And they asked me, ‘Did we give you a shower?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, of course.’”
The save Saturday wasn’t his first. His first came in Game 1 of the 2025 ALDS against Seattle, so Saturday’s went down as his first regular-season save.
And a good one at that.
Montero needed just 36 pitches to close out the game, walking only one batter in three otherwise spotless frames.
He has the manager’s full confidence in working nearly any game situation.
Detroit has used Montero in just about every role over the past month. Following a 6 1/3-inning scoreless start against Minnesota on June 11, the 25-year-old was moved to the bullpen, where he earned a win with two scoreless innings against the Yankees on July 1. He then returned to the rotation for consecutive seven-inning starts before shifting back to relief.
Montero is in the midst of a 12-inning scoreless streak, which includes seven scoreless innings against Houston during a June 26 start and now five scoreless frames, including two against the Yankees on July 1 during which he walked one and struck out three in an efficient 23 pitches.
“It's just rare nowadays to have someone come in and get the final nine outs,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “From what he can do, we asked this guy to go five and six innings. There's no reason he can't get three innings at the end of a game. But the way he's throwing the ball, it's nearly impossible to take the ball out of his hands. Nowadays, I think as roles are a little bit more established and the bridge relievers are generally in the middle of the game, I consider Keider just a good pitcher. Certainly now, while we have him coming out of the bullpen, there are no limitations on how short or long he can go.”
Montero said Tarik Skubal has become a model for handling the mental side of pitching. He studies the two-time American League Cy Young Award-winner's poise, confidence and composure under pressure, then tries to apply those traits himself. Beyond watching Skubal on the mound, Montero said he regularly talks with him, "picking his brain" to better understand the mindset that allows him to remain calm in the game's toughest moments.
Montero is 5-5 with a 3.21 ERA, and an excellent 0.97 WHIP and .206 batting average against which suggests teams are having trouble generating traffic.
He’s likely not available on Sunday, said Hinch, who added that Montero “probably told you he was.”
“I'm happy just to be here,” Montero said. “I don't care what role I'm at, just to give this team a chance to win. And I'm very happy for what I'm doing right now. I'm happy to be rolling. I started to relieve or even close games. So I'm happy for what I'm able to do, and I'm happy to be used.”