Keider Montero pitches with new intensity, but what's his best role?

TAMPA, FL – Detroit Tigers right-hander Keider Montero lost eight pounds in an offseason dedicated to preparing his body to compete in spring training for a spot on the 2026 Opening Day roster. He lifted his shirt to show proof of his progress. "I worked to reduce my belly size," Montero said in Spanish, interpreted by Tigers employee Carlos Guillén. "I like the way I feel and the way I look." The 25-year-old transformed more than just his body. He also changed his strategy on the mound. Instead of easing into starts, he is now committed to pitching with maximum effort in every situation. Montero put that strategy on display Saturday, Feb. 21, in the Tigers' 20-3 loss to the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field – the first game of spring training. He allowed three runs on three hits and one walk with two strikeouts across two innings, throwing 18 of 29 pitches for strikes. He failed to command his pitches. But he threw with intensity from his first pitch of the game. That was part of his plan. "My body felt good, and my pitches were very good," said Montero, who gave up all three hits on his fastball, including a home run. "That was a result of what I've been working on since the offseason, in which I made the decision to go all-in, regardless if I'm pitching one inning or nine innings." Montero averaged 96.3 mph with his four-seam fastball in Saturday's start, up 2.4 mph from his average of 93.9 mph during the 2025 season. His other four pitches – slider, curveball, sinker and changeup – experienced significant velocity boosts as well. He could have been amped up because it was the first game of Grapefruit League play. His velocity dropped from 96.4 mph in the first inning to 96.1 mph in the second inning, so imagine if he had returned for the third inning. If 96 mph is sustainable – whether for longer stints as a starter or shorter stints as a reliever – it would be a key development, as long as he locates his pitches in the strike zone while maintaining the added velocity. "I'm doing my best to be aggressive on every pitch, regardless of any situation," Montero said. Montero has found almost all of his success in the MLB playoffs, completing 8⅓ scoreless innings on two hits and two walks (plus two hit batters) with five strikeouts in five games during the 2024 and 2025 MLB postseason. Four of those appearances came out of the bullpen. During the 2024-25 regular seasons, Montero struggled for the Tigers, with a 4.57 ERA across 189 innings in 39 games (28 starts). In 2025, he had a 4.37 ERA over 90⅔ innings in MLB and a 5.91 ERA over 43⅔ innings in Triple-A Toledo. "He was amazing in a variety of roles," manager A.J. Hinch said. "He took the offseason seriously. He is laser-focused on being his best. He's prepping for a very important spring for him. He is a contributor in many different ways, and the way he goes about it is very consistent. It looks like he didn't waste a day in the winter getting ready for this opportunity." [ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ] Montero hasn't registered a sub-4.00 ERA since 2019 at the lower levels of the minor leagues, making it difficult to envision him as part of the Tigers' long-term plan for the rotation. He could be a weapon in the bullpen. If Montero makes the 2026 Opening Day roster, it is expected to be as a reliever, unless injuries strike the rotation. The five-man group is set for now with Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize and Justin Verlander. Behind that group, the Tigers have Montero, Drew Anderson and Troy Melton as the backup options. Montero doesn't care about his exact role in 2026, but he does care about his destination at the end of spring training. "My preference is to be in the big leagues," Montero said. Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold. Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon during the season and Tuesday afternoon during the offseason on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.