Elehuris Montero's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The Colorado Rockies announced on Sunday that they designated infielder Elehuris Montero for assignment on Sunday to make room for the return of catcher Elias Diaz (calf) from the 10-day injured list. Montero hit .243/.290/.426 with 11 home runs, 39 RBI and 40 runs scored in 307 plate appearances over 85 games in his second major-league season in 2023 for the Rockies. However, he could be on his way to a new organization in 2024 after slashing just .206/.268/.305 with four long balls, 28 RBI and 23 runs scored in 66 games for the Rockies this year while striking out 55 times in 246 plate appearances. The 25-year-old wasn't even able to keep his spot on the active roster with veteran Kris Bryant (oblique) hurt again this year. Montero being moved off the roster is good news for the power-hitting Michael Toglia.

Colorado Rockies infielder Elehuris Montero is out of the team's starting lineup as they take on the hosting Houston Astros on Tuesday. It will be the fourth straight game that Montero has found himself on the bench as he continues to lose playing time in Colorado. He's losing precious playing time to Michael Toglia, who is starting at first base on Tuesday and batting seventh against Astros right-hander Hunter Brown. The 25-year-old Dominican right-handed slugger doesn't belong on rosters in mixed fantasy leagues at this point, as he's also slashing just .209/.272/.309 with a weak .581 OPS, four home runs, 10 doubles, 28 RBI, 23 runs scored, 20 walks and 53 strikeouts in 243 trips to the plate over 65 games in his third year in the majors. Montero has been worse in June, going 10-for-57 (.175) with a homer, three doubles, seven RBI and 18 K's in 17 games played.

Colorado Rockies first baseman Elehuris Montero went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer during Thursday's Cactus League game against the Chicago Cubs. MLB.com's Thomas Harding relayed that manager Bud Black sees Montero as a candidate to play first base or designated hitter in 2024. The veteran skipper also mentioned the club could occasionally play Kris Bryant in right field in order to get Montero's bat in the lineup. This is high praise for the 25-year-old right-hander as he looks to improve on a 2023 campaign in which he slashed .243/.290/.426 with 11 homers, a 4.9 K%, a 36.2 BB%, and a 76 wRC+.