Montgomery will start Sunday against the Astros, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Scott Servais will reward Montgomery for his strong showing in the first-half finale (one run over 6.1 innings) with another start Sunday, but it's hard to imagine Montgomery sticking in the rotation once Felix Hernandez (calf) and Taijuan Walker (foot) are cleared to return. The 27-year-old lefty has been outstanding in a long-relief role this season and that's probably where he belongs long term.

Montgomery allowed just one run with three strikeouts and no walks across 6.1 innings Sunday versus the Royals, improving his record to 3-3.

EDGE Analysis

Montgomery was selected to make his first start of the season to help get Seattle to the All-Star break, and he put together a quality start to earn the win, despite four late runs allowed by the bullpen. It is unclear what the next step will be for Montgomery, but the club had considered giving him another start after the break and could be even more inclined to do so after Sunday's performance.

Montgomery, who is scheduled to make a spot start Sunday, could start another game after the All-Star break, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Mariners play five games in five days after the All-Star break before Felix Hernandez is expected to return to the rotation July 20, so they'll need a fifth starter with Taijuan Walker out. Whether Montgomery gets that chance could depend on how well he pitches Sunday against the Royals.

Montgomery will start Sunday's game against the Royals, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Taijuan Walker landed on the disabled list Wednesday, leaving a spot in the rotation open for Sunday's game heading into the All-Star break. Montgomery, who hasn't started a game this season but does have starting experience, will get the nod in Walker's place Sunday. Montgomery was able to go 4.0 innings in relief of Walker, so it'd be realistic to expect him pitching roughly the same amount of innings Sunday and making it a "bullpen game."

Montgomery, who has struggled in high-leverage situations, will be used more in middle and long relief, the Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montgomery was back in the long-relief role Sunday after allowing runs in three consecutive high-leverage outings. In high-leverage situations this season, Montgomery has five walks, four strikeouts and a 1.019 OPS allowed (26 PA). In low-leverage spots, he has seven walks 21 strikeouts and a .522 OPS (103 PA). Vidal Nunez will go back to being the late-inning situational lefty. "We're giving him a chance to stretch out and work on some pitches," manager Scott Servais said. "That's probably when he was best for us."

Montgomery walked in the winning run in the 13th inning Wednesday, the third consecutive outing he's allowed a run.

EDGE Analysis

Montgomery earned the loss in all three of those games. He's been scored upon in four of his last six appearances after going 16 games without allowing a run. What's more he had allowed only five of 22 inherited runners to score in 22 outings this year until this latest stretch in which he has allowed five of seven to cross the plate. Montgomery was pitching on back-to-back days Wednesday and likely will get a couple days off.

Montgomery threw two perfect innings and struck out three batters during Monday's loss to Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

Monday's outing brought Montgomery's ERA and WHIP down to 2.23 and 0.93, respectively. During the month of May, he allowed just one run across 19.1 innings of work, helping him become one of Seattle's most reliable bullpen options. Montgomery's strength is his exceptional control, as his walk rate is just 6.5% and he's yet to give up a home run in 2016.

Montgomery earned the win in relief Wednesday with a pair of scoreless innings against the A's.

EDGE Analysis

He entered the game after the Mariners drew level in the top of the sixth, retiring all six batters he faced with just 17 pitches in total. Thus far, his move to the bullpen has been a success as he's posted a 2.63 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over nine appearances for Seattle this season.

Montgomery, who is transitioning to the bullpen this season, passed a test in being able to pitch consecutive days this week, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montgomery really wasn't considered for a rotation spot, but injuries and ineffectiveness made him an easy choice for the bullpen. He's one of two lefties relievers but likely will leave the late-inning work to Vidal Nuno. His ability to pitch consecutive days is a plus.

Mongtomery gave up one run on two hits in one inning Saturday in his return from a neck injury.

EDGE Analysis

The injury is not considered serious. Montgomery's only shot at making the roster is in the bullpen, and even that might take some luck. He's out of options, so if he doesn't make the team, he'll like find his way to a new organization.