Chicago Cubs: Mike Montgomery ready for return to bullpen

The Chicago Cubs’ lefty reliever Mike Montgomery has completed his rehab assignment and is eligible to return from the 10-day injured list today. Who will the Cubs move to make room for him in the ‘pen?

Mike Montgomery has been a pivotal part of the Chicago Cubs’ pitching staff over the last few years, providing a solid left-handed bullpen arm and often being inserted into the rotation in place of an injured starter. He was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 6 with a left lat strain.

Now, after four rehab outings (and the birth of a new child), Montgomery has been deemed healthy by team doctors and is preparing to return to the big leagues once the Cubs decide who to move to make room in the bullpen.

According to MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian, the Cubs were still undecided on a return plan for Montgomery before Tuesday’s thrilling game against the Marlins.

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One option would be sending Kyle Ryan back to Iowa, but Ryan is currently the only southpaw reliever and has been a substantial addition to the Cubs’ ‘pen, posting a 2.84 ERA and a 3.20 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 12 2/3 innings of relief. Having both Ryan and Montgomery as left-handed options out of the pen could be a considerable advantage, especially against left-handed hitters.

Another option would be returning Allen Webster to Iowa, though he would have to pass through waivers as he is out of minor league option years. Webster currently has a 3.86 ERA and a 3.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 9 1/3 innings this season.

A third, less-likely option would simply be using Montgomery as a sixth starter, but manager Joe Maddon doesn’t necessarily see that as an option until after the All-Star break:

“For me, the six-man, what I’ve done in the past, it’s normally been post-All-Star break. … I don’t think these guys really need it yet. That’s part of it, I think, is need. I think they would like to get into a regular slot without the extra days, too. So, I don’t think the discussion’s going to be based on six-man right now.”

The Cubs’ bullpen currently ranks 16th in the majors in ERA, with a 4.18. Lately, the Cubs’ relievers have been extremely effective as a whole, but getting Montgomery back will provide a huge boost as the North Siders look to continue their current hot streak.

Mike Montgomery was acquired by the Cubs on July 20, 2016, in a four-person trade that included Dan Vogelbach being sent to the Mariners. In his time with the Cubs, Montgomery has a 3.68 ERA, a 1.97 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 103 appearances. In the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, it was Montgomery who got Cleveland’s Michael Martinez to ground out to Kris Bryant, ending the Cubs’ 108-year World Series title drought.