Montgomery (neck) will be shifted to the bullpen, Bob Dutton of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montgomery is out of option years, so the Mariners can no longer send him down if he struggles as a starter. The move to the bullpen should help elevate the left-hander's stuff to MLB-viable levels and also conveniently covers a possible hole left by Charlie Furbush (neck). Montgomery isn't currently healthy either, but his situation seems more manageable than Furbush's.

Montgomery (neck) will throw a bullpen session Sunday, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montgomery, who underwent surgery last week to remove a cyst on his neck, had recently resumed throwing on flat ground. It now looks like he's ready to get back on the mound again, and it shouldn't be long before he's cleared to pitch in a Cactus League game.

Montgomery (neck) is throwing again after undergoing surgery to remove a cyst from his neck, Bob Dutton of The News Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

It appears the surgery was a success and Montgomery is not experiencing any set backs. The 26-year-old southpaw posted a 4.60 ERA in 16 starts for the Mariners in 2015 and will be competing to make the roster as either the fifth starter or a long reliever.

Montgomery is expected to miss a few days after undergoing surgery to remove a cyst from his neck, the Tacoma News Tribune reports. "He's fine," manager Scott Servais said. "Everything went great, but it was a surgical procedure."

EDGE Analysis

The Mariners said this offseason that Montgomery would compete for a rotation spot, but his best chance of making the roster is in the bullpen. The fifth spot in the rotation is expected to come down to James Paxton and Nate Karns. Montgomery is out of options, so if the Mariners don't want to risk losing him, they could keep him as the long reliever. But he'll have to win the job.

Montgomery will compete for a rotation spot in spring training, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

General manager Jerry Dipoto did add that Montgomery could be moved to the bullpen, and considering his emphasis on acquiring starting pitching so far this offseason, that's the likely plan barring injury. The Mariners traded for Nate Karns a few weeks ago and brought in Wade Miley from the Red Sox on Monday. Montgomery put himself on the map last season by posting a 1.62 ERA in his first six starts, but faltered down the stretch, allowing 21 runs in his final 19.2 innings.

Montgomery was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montgomery's start was skipped Sunday, and now it appears he may be out of the rotation altogether. Edgar Olmos will receive the start in his place Sunday, and he could be an option to make the next start as well.

Montgomery will not make his scheduled start Sunday, Jen Mueller of ROOT Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Lloyd McClendon said he wanted to give Montgomery a break, so it sounds like his turn in the rotation will be skipped. Edgar Olmos will make his first big league start of his career Sunday against the White Sox. Montgomery has thrown 143 innings this season, compared to 126 in 2014, so he may not make many more starts this season.

Montgomery gave up five runs on seven hits and recorded just four outs. He walked one and didn't strike out a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Montgomery was hammered, as he gave up three extra-base hits, including a two-run home run. He had a 2.51 ERA on July 17th; since then he has failed to get out of the third inning three times and has seen his ERA jump all the way to 4.60. He has allowed six home runs in seven starts covering just 27.2 innings in that span.

Montgomery (4-3) allowed five runs on eight hits in a loss to the Angels on Friday, striking out three. Montgomery had allowed just one earned run over his last 23.2 innings coming in, but turned in the worst start of his major league career in this one. The rookie didn't issue a walk, but his career-high eight hits allowed included home runs by Mike Trout and C.J. Cron. Montgomery is still outperforming his FIP by more than a run (2.29 to 3.66), so he could be due for more rough outings moving forward if his luck begins to wane. Since he doesn't strike a lot of guys out, the lefty will have to keep limiting batters' effectiveness on balls in play if he wants to maintain his early success.

Montgomery won his fourth game of the season Sunday against the Athletics, allowing just one run across 5.2 innings. The 26-year-old took advantage of a lefty-heavy Oakland lineup and limited them to just one extra-base hit on the day. He has been excellent since being called up in early June and has now won three consecutive starts, including a pair of complete game shutouts heading into Sunday. Montgomery will carry a stellar 1.62 ERA into Friday's start against the Angels.