Detroit Tigers' Keider Montero throws new pitch as development continues in rookie year

Keider Montero used to throw five pitches.

More than two years ago, the Detroit Tigers wanted Montero to focus on three pitches — four-seam fastball, slider and changeup — at the High-A level, which meant scrapping his curveball and sinker. Montero wanted to keep his high-spin curveball in as part of his arsenal, but he was willing to quit throwing the sinker.

Two years later, the sinker has returned to Montero's pitch mix at the MLB level.

"It's the same grip," Montero said.

HAUL FROM HARRIS: Breaking down 'haul of young talent' acquired by Tigers at 2024 trade deadline

Montero, a rookie right-hander who has a 6.18 ERA in eight appearances, showcased his sinker for the first time since 2022 in Thursday's 7-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals, in which he allowed four runs on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts across seven innings, throwing 88 pitches.

The 24-year-old used 35 four-seamers (39.8%), 20 sinkers (22.7%), 18 sliders (20.5%), 10 changeups (11.4%), and five curveballs (5.7%). His slider, four-seamer and sinker were his most effective pitches against the Royals.

"I know they tweaked a few things in his side-sessions this week that Fett was talking about," manager A.J. Hinch said, referencing pitching coach Chris Fetter. "He'll take it right into the game. He's fearless. He expects a lot out of himself, and I like that."

Montero is throwing the sinker to keep opponents off his four-seam fastball.

Opponents are hitting .274 ( with a .333 expected batting average) with a .536 slugging percentage (.553 expected) against his four-seamer, with six of his 11 home runs allowed coming on the heater.

"I was throwing just four-seamers," Montero said in Spanish, interpreted by Carlos Guillén, who works as the Tigers' manager of Spanish communication and broadcasting. "Having that one added to the repertoire, I'm able to separate them from the plate. I'm throwing the fastball straight up like a four-seamer or down like a two-seamer. It gives me a chance to separate them off the plate."

WHAT HAPPENED: Inside Tigers trade deadline: How Jack Flaherty ended up with Los Angeles Dodgers

Montero also showed determination in Thursday's start against the Royals. He surrendered three runs before recording his first out but then didn't allow another run until the seventh inning, which he completed.

It was a developmental start.

"To his credit, he didn't fold," Hinch said, "so what it tells me about him is he's a tough kid who loves to compete. He is a learner, and he'll take some positives out of this. He'll also take some things he needs to work on."

[ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts ( Apple , Spotify ) ]

WHAT HE THINKS: Tigers' Kenta Maeda reacts to new bullpen role, dominant first relief appearance

Kenta Maeda in the bullpen

Right-hander Kenta Maeda will not work as a reliever forever.

For now, though, Hinch doesn't want to change what's working for the veteran who signed a two-year, $24 million contract last offseason.

Maeda, 36, posted a 7.26 ERA with 23 walks and 50 strikeouts across 65⅔ innings in 15 starts, but since the Tigers moved him to the bullpen , he has logged an impressive 3.38 ERA with zero walks and 10 strikeouts across 10⅔ innings in four relief appearances.

"We are going to try to get him regular work that's similar to a starting pitcher," Hinch said. "The question is like, who's going to blink first? Do we change (his role) first, or do we wait for the opportunity to present itself better? I just don't really want to mess him up right now with the way he got his stability back in his performance."

Maeda is expected to pitch Saturday in long relief.

Medical update

Outfielder Riley Greene (right hamstring strain) and outfielder Kerry Carpenter (lumbar spine stress fracture) will face right-hander Casey Mize (left hamstring strain) in a live batting practice session Saturday at Comerica Park.

Carpenter, who hasn't played for the Tigers since May 26, could begin a rehab assignment as soon as Monday, following his completion of Saturday's live batting practice session and Sunday's base-running session.

Meanwhile, Greene continues to progress through his running drills.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .

Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com, Apple , Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts .

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Keider Montero throws new pitch as development continues in rookie year