Montgomery: 'It's pretty cool' to rejoin Royals

KANSAS CITY -- Back in 2009, Royals prospects Danny Duffy and Mike Montgomery used to sit in the dugout at Class A Advanced Wilmington and dream about someday being in the same rotation in the big leagues for Kansas City.

“I just didn’t think it’d take 10 years for that to happen,” Duffy said, smiling.

Montgomery agreed, saying, “It’s pretty cool now, though.”

Montgomery’s long journey, which included stops with the Rays, Mariners and Cubs, has landed him back with the Royals after they acquired him from the Cubs for catcher Martin Maldonado on Monday night. Montgomery reported on Wednesday and he spoke to the media for the first time. The left-hander will make his first start on Friday in Cleveland on a limited pitch count of 40-45.

Here's what Montgomery had to say.

On what that reunion with Duffy will be like:

“I called him the other day and we talked a little bit about our past experiences. The game takes wild turns and sometimes players cross paths again. I’ve followed his career the whole time and he’s had a lot of success. It’ll be fun being in the rotation.”

On how he felt when he got the news it was K.C. he was traded to:

“It was exciting. There was a lot of emotion because I was [with the Cubs] 3 1/2 years and had a lot of success. I hadn’t thought about ever coming back here. But when I did hear the news of it, that little excitement came back. I know a lot of people here. You know when you’re drafted by a team, it’s always a special place for you.”

On rumors that he asked to be traded so he could start again:

“For me, none of that was in my control. I had told them I wanted to start and I wanted to start for them. They gave me opportunities when they could. They ultimately had the say, and really we just get people out when they tell us to get them out. You always want to do what you feel you’re best at, like a starter.

“I think last year I got in that stretch where I made 19 starts in a row. I had a little hiccup health-wise, but I learned a lot. I think I proved to the league I can be a starter. I can’t wait to embrace it.”

On watching the Royals win the World Series in 2015, then winning it himself in '16:

“I remember being at home watching [the Royals] with my family and kind of wondering why that wasn’t me. I was still in the Minors at the time. It really gave me that extra motivation. I was super thrilled for those guys. I never thought I’d be experiencing the same thing a year later. You cherish that. That’s what you aim for. That’s the only reason to play is to win.”

On his place in Cubs history, getting the final out of the 2016 World Series:

“You can’t take it away. I had some ups and downs there. But it was an unbelievable moment for myself and the city. To see what it meant to all the people there was great. I was someone who got traded midseason that year. I didn’t know much about The Curse or the history of the team. I was just happy to be there. I had a good stretch run in the playoffs, and then afterward you realize the significance of it.”