D-Backs move slumping Montgomery to bullpen

The Arizona Diamondbacks are moving left-hander Jordan Montgomery to the bullpen, manager Torey Lovullo announced Friday, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.

Lovullo added that right-hander Ryne Nelson will remain in the starting rotation along with Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, and Eduardo Rodriguez.

Montgomery, who signed a one-year, $25-million contract with a 2025 player option in the offseason, is going through the worst season of his eight-year career, authoring a 6.44 ERA with 1.67 WHIP and 6.3 K/9 over 95 innings (19 starts).

The 31-year-old's vesting option will net him $25 million next year if he logs at least 23 starts in 2024. He's currently slated to make $22.5 million if he returns to Arizona in 2025.