Cubs manager Joe Maddon reiterated earlier this week that Montgomery will serve as the team's sixth starter during spring training, but it's expected that the lefty will transition to the bullpen once Opening Day arrives, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montgomery had spent the offseason preparing himself for a full-time spot in the Cubs' rotation, but the team's splashy acquisition of Yu Darvish earlier this month most likely ended those hopes, barring a long-term injury to any of the team's other starters. Maddon said that Montgomery will still be stretched out this spring so that he can be worked into the rotation when the need arises, but the skipper noted that the Cubs will be more mindful of giving him more rest before and after he's called upon for spot starts. Montgomery filled the swingman role admirably last season and gave the Cubs 130.2 innings of 3.38-ERA ball over 44 appearances (14 starts), though that workload was inflated by three other starters (Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks and John Lackey) all requiring trips to the disabled list at various points during the campaign.

Montgomery looks to be headed to the bullpen after the Cubs' acquisition of Yu Darvish.

EDGE Analysis

Montgomery looked temporarily like he was in line to open the season in the rotation as the Cubs' fifth starter. He'll now presumably be opening the season in a bullpen role, though he's only one injury away from returning to the rotation. He's been significantly better as a reliever over the course of his career (2.29 ERA), though his 4.20 ERA as a starter is perfectly acceptable for a backend starter. The 28-year-old lefty started 14 games for the Cubs last season after opening the year as the team's sixth starter and could easily make a similar number of starts this season.

Montgomery is lined up as the Cubs' No. 5 starter as spring training approaches, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs added Tyler Chatwood to replace one of the two vacancies in the rotation when Jake Arrieta and John Lackey became free agents this offseason, but they haven't brought in much competition for Montgomery to this point. It's not out of the question that the Cubs will land another starter in the coming weeks, either by re-signing Arrieta, or adding one of Yu Darvish, Alex Cobb, or Lance Lynn. Nevertheless, Montgomery is an interesting draft-day consideration with the possibility of a starter's workload on tap. Although he's been more successful as a reliever to this point in his career (2.29 ERA), his results against lefties and righties are split-neutral, and he's held opposing hitters to a .239/.316/.398 line over 195 career innings as a starter while pitching to a 4.20 ERA in that role.

Montgomery allowed one hit while striking out two over three scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Reds on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty was excellent in this one, but his time on the mound was limited (37 pitches) with the Cubs looking to preserve his arm for the postseason. While Montgomery's strikeout rate dipped below 7.0 K/9 this year, he still managed a 3.38 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 130.2 regular-season innings. He could open 2018 in the rotation with both Jake Arrieta and John Lackey hitting free agency this winter.

Montgomery will take Jake Arrieta's place in the rotation for Sunday's contest against the Reds, Bruce Levine of 670thescore.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Arrieta resting his hamstring, manager Joe Maddon will turn it over to Montgomery for the regular-season finale, and see how far he can take them before turning it over to the bullpen. During his latest start against the Rays on Sept. 19, Montgomery went six innings, but has appeared out of the bullpen twice in the past week, although he hasn't pitched since Tuesday so he should be able to last a fairly decent time on the mound.

Montgomery (7-8) held the Rays to a single hit -- a solo homer -- over six innings Tuesday, striking out six and earning the victory.

EDGE Analysis

He was nearly perfect, with a Brad Miller long ball and a hit batsman the only things separating Montgomery's six frames from perfection. The lefty wasn't expected to stick in the rotation after this outing, but this impressive showing may help change the team's thinking on that front. It's worth monitoring how the Cubs plan to deploy him in the aftermath of such a sparkling effort.

Montgomery will start Tuesday's game against the Rays, Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although it had looked like Montgomery was poised to pitch from the bullpen for the remainder of the season, the Cubs will call on him to make another start in their upcoming series against Tampa Bay. However, it doesn't appear that he's in line to remain in the rotation following Tuesday's outing. Montgomery has been used as a starter and reliever this season and has compiled a 3.57 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 40 games (118.1 innings). However, he's struggled over his 12 starts. Among said games his ERA has inflated to 4.62.

Montgomery will not make his scheduled start Thursday and will move to the bullpen, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Prospect Jen-Ho Tseng will get the call to make his big-league debut against the Mets. Montgomery has been better as a reliever (2.32 ERA) than as a starter (4.35 ERA) in his career, which is obviously not surprising. The Cubs will be using him as a reliever in the postseason, so perhaps they just wanted him to get back in that routine before October. He should be used in a multi-inning role.

Montgomery is scheduled to start Thursday against the Mets, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montgomery's last start was rough, as he allowed four runs on two hits and four walks over just two innings. He's pitched 60.1 innings over 12 starts this season and thrown for a 4.62 ERA in that time. Montgomery has started one game against the Mets this season. In said outing he allowed two runs over five innings and struck out four batters.

Montgomery (5-8) allowed four runs on two hits and four walks while striking out two across two innings to take the loss Saturday against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Montgomery fired a pair of shutout innings before getting into trouble in the third inning, leading to his eighth loss of the season. Coming into this game he allowed a total of four runs over his last four starts, and should he remain in the rotation, he'll be a reasonable fantasy option, based on his 3.64 ERA. His next start has yet to be determined.