Montgomery is likely to begin the year in a long-relief/spot-starter role, with Brett Anderson as the team's fifth starter, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Anderson has never been a reliever, while Montgomery excelled in a relief role last season, including getting the save in Game 7 of the World Series, so that helped make the decision for the Cubs. However, Anderson has a history of missing games due to injury, so Montgomery could find himself in the rotation at some point. Cubs manager Joe Maddon has also said he may take a "hybrid" approach that occasionally uses a sixth starter.