Montgomery begins his first season with the Ducks and 17th in professional baseball. The pitcher spent six seasons in the Major Leagues, playing with the Seattle Mariners (2015-16), Chicago Cubs (2016-19) and Kansas City Royals (2019-20). He made 183 appearances (70 starts) in the big leagues, posting a 23-34 record with a 3.84 ERA, two complete games, two shutouts, three saves and 415 strikeouts to 204 walks over 541.0 innings of work. The California native also made 16 appearances during the postseason, leading the Cubs to the 2016 World Series championship. He recorded the final out of the series, ending the franchise’s 108-year title drought.

The 34-year-old made 18 appearances (16 starts) with Oklahoma City (AAA, Dodgers) in 2023. He earned Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Month honors for July after going 2-0 with a 1.21 ERA and 23 strikeouts in five games (three starts). Previously, the southpaw was named an International League Mid-Season All-Star in 2014 with Durham (AAA, Rays) and a Texas League Mid-Season All-Star in 2010 with Northwest Arkansas (AA, Royals). Montgomery was originally selected by the Royals in the first round (36th overall) of the 2008 amateur draft.