Skip to content

Montero says Arrieta agreed with criticism of his slow delivery

Anthony Gruppuso / USA TODAY Sports

While Miguel Montero's tenure with the Chicago Cubs drew to a close Wednesday morning following his criticism of Jake Arrieta's time to the plate, the catcher says there's at least one former teammate on his side, and it's Arrieta.

"I actually called Jake to apologize for my comments, and he was fine," Montero told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. "He said, 'You're not wrong.'

"He called me this morning when he found out the news and said he felt bad. It is what it is."

"Sometimes people can't handle the truth," the 33-year-old catcher added. "That's my biggest issue. I'm just straightforward, man, I'm a straight shooter. I'm not going to say you're pretty when you're ugly."

The Cubs designated Montero for assignment following Tuesday's game against Trea Turner and the Washington Nationals, in which the catcher allowed seven stolen bases - four of them to Turner.

Montero told reporters at the time that Arrieta's time to the plate "really sucked because the stolen bases go to me, and when you really look at it, the pitcher doesn't give me any time." All seven stolen bases from the Nationals came with Arrieta on the mound.

The public criticism of his teammate didn't sit well with Anthony Rizzo, who told ESPN 1000 that Montero is "selfish," while implying that Willson Contreras "throws everyone out."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox