As the baseball world looked ahead to the 2025 season, there was a palpable sense of anticipation surrounding Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Montgomery. Having seemingly dedicated himself to a rigorous offseason regimen, shedding over 25 pounds and reportedly looking sharp in his bullpen sessions,

Montgomery exuded a newfound confidence that had fans and analysts alike eager to see his performance on the mound. Many, myself included, were excited to witness the potential resurgence of the veteran left-hander.

However, the promising narrative took a sudden and disheartening turn. Instead of the expected news of his role in the pitching rotation or a potential trade to another team, a different scene unfolded in the Diamondbacks’ locker room.

Reporters observed teammates offering their support and hugs to Montgomery, sparking initial speculation of a trade. But the reality was far more sobering.

Montgomery himself sat down with the media to deliver the unfortunate news: he would be undergoing Tommy John surgery, effectively sidelining him for the entire 2025 season. This revelation was a significant blow, not only to Montgomery but also to the Diamondbacks organization that had been counting on his veteran presence.

The details of the injury painted a picture of a pitcher who had been diligently preparing for the upcoming season, only to be derailed by an unforeseen setback. Montgomery explained that he had felt some discomfort following his last Cactus League appearance. Initially, the discomfort was dismissed as a minor joint issue, with the expectation that a simple injection could alleviate the problem. However, further imaging revealed a more serious issue – the need for Tommy John surgery.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, Montgomery still has a $25 million player option for the 2025 season, which the Diamondbacks will now be obligated to pay while he recovers. This puts the team in a difficult position, especially considering they were actively exploring trade options for him, with some interest reportedly emerging after his impressive spring training performance.

Montgomery himself reflected on the events leading up to the injury, hinting at the intensity of his offseason training. He admitted to potentially pushing himself too hard, stating, “I was probably throwing to hard too soon.” He further elaborated on the demanding nature of his bullpen sessions, highlighting the challenge of maintaining that high level of intensity in games without tensing up to make the perfect pitch. He acknowledged that these rigorous workouts might have contributed to the elbow injury.

For both Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks, this turn of events marks a disappointing chapter. After a frustrating 2024 season, Montgomery had shown promising signs of a comeback, only for his aspirations to be put on hold. Similarly, the Diamondbacks lose a potential key contributor to their pitching staff for the entirety of the 2025 campaign.

While the circumstances are undoubtedly unfortunate, the baseball community wishes Jordan Montgomery a swift and successful recovery. May he find strength and resilience during his rehabilitation, and we look forward to seeing him back on the mound in the future. Good luck, Monty!