Apropos of my speculation yesterday that the Cubs might soon add Mike Montgomery to the rotation to do the six-man thing for a couple turns through the rotation … nope. Wrong. Brett is fake news.

I kid, because the six-man option was under consideration this week, but after meeting with the front office, Joe Maddon said that it isn’t going to happen right now (Cubs.com). With a stretch of 16 straight games without an off-day, and with Montgomery organically stretched out on Monday by the way that game played out, it certainly made sense to swing him into the rotation next week *if* the Cubs were going to do it, but apparently they decided now is not the time.

I’d be very surprised, though, if they go the whole year without getting Montgomery some starts (remember, the organization wants to know what they have in him before 2018 rolls around, what with its expected rotation vacancies). Further, I’d be surprised if the Cubs didn’t do the sixth starter thing at times to get the front five a breather as we get on deeper into the season.

Through 18.0 relief innings thus far, Montgomery has posted a superb 1.50 ERA, albeit with a below average strikeout rate (18.9%) and terrifying walk rate (14.9%). Perhaps that has factored into the decision for now, as well.

In any case, for now, the starting five is still the starting five, and the front office will otherwise continue to consider its options for more traditional additions to the rotation – if necessary – as we head into trade season.