Montero was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma following Tuesday's game, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Even with rosters expanding Tuesday, the Mariners will ship Montero back to Tacoma, where he'll likely finish out the season. The once-heralded prospect was given an opportunity to redeem himself at the major league level this season, but hit hit just .200 with 22 strikeouts in 25 games. The 25-year-old has torn up the Triple-A ranks, however, slashing .346/.388/.551 across 93 contests.

Montero is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Astros, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old was given a chance in a regular role throughout the first half of August, but he failed to much with the opportunity, and quickly fell out of favor with manager Lloyd McClendon. Tuesday's absence marks his seventh in the team's last 10 games.

Montero is back in the lineup on Monday, batting seventh as the designated hitter, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

After sitting back-to-back games and seeing his playing time dwindle significantly, Montero returns to the lineup on Monday as the designated hitter in favor of Logan Morrison. He's hitting .211 with two home runs and nine RBI this season.

Montero is not in Saturday's lineup, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

It seems that Logan Morrison is back to being the Mariners' primary first baseman, as the team will look to evaluate players with fewer years of team control, like Morrison, amid a regime change. Montero only has six at-bats in the last six games.

Montero is not in the lineup Friday against the White Sox, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Montero has struggled of late, going 0-for-12 in his last four starts, leading to being held out of the lineup for the fourth time in the last six days. Logan Morrison will start at first base Friday, batting eighth.

Montero is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Montero's time at first has become more sparse of late, sitting Wednesday for the third time in four games. Both he and Logan Morrison appear to be in a timeshare at first base, limiting the value of each on their own.

Montero will start at first base and bat seventh Friday against Hector Santiago and the Angels, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports. The 25-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday with the expectation being that he would play at DH against left-handed pitching, but manager Lloyd McClendon will give him a look at first base Friday to gauge for himself Montero's progress at the position. Montero has posted an .899 OPS and 15 homers with Tacoma this season, with a .362/.417/.655 batting line against left-handed pitching.

Montero was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports. A corresponding move was not immediately announced, but Montero has joined the team in Seattle and is primed to take on a short-end platoon role at DH, seeing starts against left-handed pitching. Montero has gone 16-for-31 with Tacoma to begin July, raising his batting line with the affiliate to .332/.370/.529 for the season and bringing his home run total to 15.

Montero is batting .304 at Triple-A Tacoma with 10 multi-hit games, five doubles and three homers. If the struggling Mariners don't turn things around soon, it won't be surprising if Montero gets called up. Nelson Cruz, who's proven his middling defense is not a liability, could shift to outfield while Montero plays DH. Dustin Ackley, who is hitting .182, would lose his outfield spot.

Montero, as expected, was optioned to Triple-A on Friday, the Seattle Times reports. Montero's focus this spring was more on just saving his career rather than making the Seattle roster. He started well by showing up to camp 40 pounds lighter, but he still needs to fix his swing -- "There's a big loop in his swing," manager Lloyd McClendon said -- and become competent at first base. No longer a catcher, Montero doesn't really have a spot for callup even if he tears up Triple-A. His best chance is an injury to first baseman Logan Morrison.