RHP Rafael Montero will look to snap a six-appearance winless streak Wednesday afternoon, when he takes the mound for the Mets in the finale of a two-game series against the Texas Rangers at Citi Field. Montero didn't factor into the decision in his most recent start last Thursday, when he gave up four runs on a season-high 10 hits while walking one and striking out six over 5 2/3 innings as the Mets fell to the Colorado Rockies, 5-4. Since earning his first win of the season on June 25, Montero is 0-3 with a 5.93 ERA in six games (five starts), though he has struck out 28 and walked just 11 over 30 1/3 innings in that span. Montero has never faced the Rangers.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Take a spin around the Cactus League with "Three Up, Three Down," an inside look at what is coming up and what went down on Monday.THREE UP1. The Seattle Mariners' Robinson Cano drove in seven runs with three home runs Sunday against the Chicago Cubs, then hit another blast Monday against a Kansas City Royals split squad as he perfects his swing for next Monday's opener at Texas.Cano leads the Cactus League with seven home runs."Wow, that was a bomb," Mariners manager Scott Servais said of Cano's fifth-inning shot off Royals right-hander Kris Medlen. "He's feeling really good right now. Seeing the ball great. His swing's on time, and we just need to keep him right there for when we get to Arlington."Cano put up modest numbers last year: .287, 21 home runs and 79 RBIs, but the Mariners are expecting much more in 2016."You get in a little bit of a jam and have to challenge Robbie Cano, 2-2, 3-2," Medlen said. "You're not going to win a lot of those battles, really."2. Royals... [More]

C/1B Jesus Montero was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays from the Mariners on Monday (March 28). Montero, 26, appeared in 38 games with the Mariners last season, hitting .223 with five home runs and 19 RBIs. He was acquired by Seattle from the Yankees on Jan. 20, 2012. He has appeared in 226 major league games, batting .253 with 28 homers and 104 RBIs.

Montero is not in the lineup Friday against the Angels.

Montero will be sidelined for the third straight game, as the Mariners draw another right-handed pitcher in Garrett Richards. Logan Morrison will get the start at first base in his place and bat seventh.

Montero is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

Montero owns a .987 OPS in eight games this month, but he will be held out Thursday with the Mariners using a lineup primarily made up of left-handed hitters against Royals starter Johnny Cueto.

Montero is out of Wednesday's lineup against the Royals.

Montero appears to be falling out of favor in terms of the everyday role at first base. He's now out of the lineup for the fifth time in eight games, with Mark Trumbo moving in from right field to make the start. While Montero will likely remain in the mix at the position, he shouldn't be considered an everyday player at this point.

Montero went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer in a 3-1 win over the Angels on Wednesday.

The young catcher turned first baseman hadn't been playing much coming into the week, but he has now played six times in the last nine days. The numbers are still lacking though, as he sits with a .217 average with four home runs in 92 at-bats this season. The Venezuelan has been in and out of the majors throughout his career, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in the minors at the beginning of next season.

Montero remains out of the lineup Monday against the Angels.

Montero is sitting for the second consecutive game as Logan Morrison takes over duties as first base, although Montero still seems to be the favorite moving forward for the remainder of the season.

Montero is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rockies, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

Montero has been seeing more frequent at-bats during his second stint with the Mariners following last week's recall. He's gone 4-for-13 with a homer and three RBI while starting four of the previous five games. Though Logan Morrison will pick up the start at first base Sunday, look for Montero to see the majority of the playing time at the position over the final few weeks of the season.

Montero went 1-for-2 with a solo homer in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Rockies.

Montero's numbers over the past few seasons aren't pretty, as his brief flashes of power haven't amounted to an OPS over .647. Now a full-time first baseman, Montero remains buried in Seattle's depth chart. Even in daily formats and deep leagues, Montero's a risky play.

Montero was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

Montero has not had much luck at the major league level this season, batting only .200 with 22 strikeouts in 25 games for the Mariners. He's fared much better at Triple-A, where held an impressive .355 average and .96 OPS in 98 games for Tacoma. With the Triple-A season now over, he'll likely remain with the Mariners through the end of the month.

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

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.

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.

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, the Tacoma News-Tribune's Bob Dutton reports.

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.

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.

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 is out of the lineup Tuesday, the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports.

Montero and Logan Morrison continue to share the playing time at first base, essentially making both players difficult to start in most full-season fantasy formats. Morrison gets the start at first and will bat seventh Tuesday against righty Jesse Chavez.

Montero is out of the lineup Sunday against the White Sox, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

Montero has started each of the last three contests at first base, but his five strikeouts in six at-bats between the last two contests may have played into his absence Sunday. Mark Trumbo will move in from right field to replace him at first base, batting seventh for the Mariners.

Montero is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Orioles.

Montero will sit for a second straight day Wednesday, with Mark Trumbo moving in from left field to start at first base, batting seventh for the Mariners. There's no indication that a permanent shift is coming, but Montero's playing time could remain spotty.