The Hiroshima Carp of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball have signed Montero to a one-year contract, Yahoo Japan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montero will give NPB a shot after slashing only .228/.277/.387 over parts of three major-league seasons with the Rockies. He will be paid a $400,000 signing bonus and earn a salary of $850,000.

Montero cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Albuquerque.

EDGE Analysis

Montero was DFA'd by the Rockies on Sunday after slashing .205/.267/.304 over 247 plate appearances, but he'll officially remain in the organization after passing through waivers unclaimed. Until the 25-year-old is able to turn things around at the plate, he'll serve as organizational depth in the minor leagues.

The Rockies designated Montero for assignment Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

After popping 11 home runs in 307 plate appearances with the Rockies in 2023 and securing an everyday role coming out of camp this spring, Montero looked to be an attractive late-round target in drafts. Unfortunately for his fantasy managers, Montero quickly fell out of favor, and he didn't show any signs of improvements after regaining playing time once injuries began to pile up for the Rockies. Even with Kris Bryant (oblique) still stuck on the 10-day injured list, the Rockies didn't have room for Montero as a backup option at first base or designated hitter with the team needing to clear a spot for catcher Elias Diaz's (calf) return from the IL. The 25-year-old Montero, who had posted a .474 OPS in June and a .205/.267/.304 slash line over 247 plate appearances on the season, has no minor-league options remaining, so he would need to be carried on the 26-man active roster if another team trades for him or claims him off waivers.

Montero is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Houston.

EDGE Analysis

It marks the fourth straight game that Montero has been out of the lineup, although he did make one pinch-hitting appearance over that stretch. The recent emergence of Michael Toglia has put the squeeze on Montero's playing time, and his .581 OPS hasn't helped, either.

Montero went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 11-9 loss to the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Montero has an extra-base hit and at least one RBI in each of his last three games. He began Tuesday's game on the bench but entered early after Charlie Blackmon (hamstring) exited the contest. Montero is at a middling .209/.274/.313 slash line with four homers, 27 RBI, 22 runs scored and 10 doubles over 62 contests this season, though he's hit just .167 (8-for-48) in June. If Blackmon misses additional time, that may allow Montero to be in the lineup more often, as his playing time has started to slip.

Montero is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Montero will get a break for the series finale after he had started in each of the Rockies' last four games while going 2-for-13 with a double, two walks, two runs and one RBI. Though he's maintaining a lowly .554 OPS for the season, Montero could hold down a near-everyday role until the banged-up Rockies get some of their hitters back from the injured list.

Montero will play first base and bat cleanup Saturday against Pittsburgh, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brenton Doyle (knee) was scratched from the lineup Saturday, and as a result Jake Cave will move to center field as Michael Toglia moves to right, opening up first base for Montero. Montero has just two hits in his last 23 at-bats and owns a .546 OPS on the year.

Montero is starting as the designated hitter and batting eighth for Friday's game against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Montero was initially slated to begin Friday's game in the dugout, but he was inserted into the starting lineup after Jake Cave (undisclosed) was carted off the field during batting practice after being hit in the head by a line drive. Montero will face off against Pirates right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski.

Montero is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Even with Kris Bryant (ribs), Sean Bouchard (ankle) and Brendan Rodgers (hamstring) recently joining Nolan Jones (knee) and Jordan Beck (hand) on the injured list, Montero still hasn't been able to maintain a regular spot in the Colorado lineup. He'll take a seat for the second day in a row, with his move to the bench coming after he had gotten off to a 3-for-27 start to June while striking out at a 39.3 percent clip. Recent Triple-A Albuquerque call-up Michael Toglia sported a hot bat during the Rockies' four-game weekend series split with the Cardinals and looks to have unseated Montero as the Rockies' preferred option at first base for the time being.

Montero is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at St. Louis, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montero started the previous six games but will take a seat Sunday after going 3-for-23 with nine strikeouts during that span. Michael Toglia will start at first base and bat seventh in the series finale versus the Cardinals.