DETROIT — The Rays made the first of what could be several moves to address their struggling bullpen Monday, sending struggling rookie left-hander Mason Montgomery to Triple-A Durham.

Montgomery blew an eighth-inning lead Sunday at Minnesota by allowing a two-run homer to Harrison Bader. But his problems had been ongoing, as he’d allowed baserunners in eight of his past 10 outings and runs in five.

Overall, Montgomery had allowed 33 hits (including five homers) and 19 walks over 31 ⅓ innings, posting a 5.74 ERA.

“Tough decision, for sure,” manager Kevin Cash said. “But feel like we need Mason to be good for us. And we kind of gave him that message, get down there, find a routine, work on some mechanical adjustments and mindset adjustments.”

Physically, Cash mentioned improved command of his pitches and doing better at getting ahead in counts.

The mental part sounds just as important.

“He needs to feel some good results,” Cash said. “Mentally, it’s been trying. Every outing here recently has been a little bit of a grind, whether he gives up runs or not. It’s been a grind for him.

“I know he’ll get some work in there with (Triple-A pitching coach) Brian Reith and (manager) Morgan (Ensberg). (There’s a) lot of messaging going back and forth. But we need him back up here soon. … But feel like this will give him a little bit of a blow.”

Right-hander Mason Englert was called up to replace Montgomery, meaning the Rays for now will go with just one lefty reliever, Garrett Cleavinger.

Englert has had two previous stints with the Rays this season, posting a 4.84 ERA over 13 games. He allowed 27 hits and four walks over 22 ⅓ innings, striking out 22.

“A guy who has quality stuff, can give you multi innings, can pitch back to back, (is) pretty versatile,” Cash said. “So, think he should help.”

There may be another bullpen move coming on Tuesday.

Cash also noted that Montgomery, 25, was still relatively new to the bullpen role, having been converted from starter in August 2024.

He was told to throw as hard as he could, picked up 3-4 mph on his fastball, and a month later made his big-league debut. He pitched in nine games for the Rays and made it look easy, striking out 17 of the 37 hitters he faced while allowing six hits.

This season, not so much, with his strikeouts way down (from 45.9 % to 28.5) and batting average and OPS against way up (from .188 and .579 to .275 and .807).

Kim, B-Lowe feeling betterRays infielder Ha-Seong Kim made his season debut Friday but left the game with discomfort in his right calf believed to be caused by a cramp.Rays infielder Ha-Seong Kim made his season debut Friday but left the game with discomfort in his right calf believed to be caused by a cramp. [ WILL VRAGOVIC | Tampa Bay Rays ]Stay updated on Tampa Bay’s sports scene

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Both shortstop Ha-Seong Kim and All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe said they were feeling better Monday but didn’t have a set timetable for when they would return to the lineup.

Kim left Friday’s game — his first of the season following an extended rehab from right shoulder surgery — with discomfort in his right calf believed to be caused by a cramp.

He felt good enough Monday to run on the field and go through a full pregame workout with the team. Before heading out, Kim said via interpreter David Lee he felt “closer to normal” and there was no concern of going back on the injured list.

Cash hinted that Kim may have been available to play Monday, but he wasn’t used.

Lowe, who left Sunday’s game after feeling some discomfort on his left side on a swing, said he felt good enough to pick up his 2 ½-year-old son Monday at the team hotel. He also took some swings in the cage before the game, with word getting to Cash that he felt good doing so.

“Very encouraged with both of them,” Cash said.

Miscellany

Chandler Simpson extended his hitting streak to 11 games, two shy of Rocco Baldelli’s rookie record set in 2003. Simpson has also gone 45 plate appearances without striking out. … Rays pitchers allowed at least three homers in a game for the 11th time. … Shane Baz took his first loss since May 18.

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