This was coming on the heels of an encouraging 2012 in which he hit .260 with 15 home runs and 20 doubles. And all of that came off a minor-league career which saw the 23-year-old hit .308, with four 17-plus home run campaigns over five seasons. 

Montero can hit, but he has proven to be a pretty bad catcher. So he'll learn first base down on the farm, a process that may not take too long considering this is not a foreign idea to him. We know Montero can hit -- his 2013 line was doomed thanks to spotty playing time and repeated failures and stresses behind the plate. With the burden of having to call games and handle a staff now gone, Montero has been freed to simply take grounders and regain his offensive potential. 

Granted, Montero doesn't even have a spot at DH or first base open for him once he does come around. But injuries (and slumps) can change things on a daily basis. If you absolutely need a replacement, we offered up some suggestions on Fantasy Baseball Today. I am holding Montero in 14-team-and-deeper Roto formats. I may even trade for him or scoop him off the discard pile in some leagues. Montero can hit, and it shouldn't be too long (mid-July?) until he pops back up with a far sunnier outlook. 

Montero is batting .208 with three home runs and nine RBI in 29 games. He hasn't started since Sunday, with Kelly Shoppach taking over behind the plate.

"He just came off the plate," Wedge said. "He just released too early. You’ve got to keep your foot planted. You’re not going to turn two on that, so you’ve just got to keep your foot planted on that."

The 23-year-old Montero continues to be more prized for his hitting than his fielding, but he has gone 7 for 34 (.206) in May with a homer and two RBI. He's struck out six times during the month. Montero is batting .206 on the season with three homers and nine RBI over 97 at-bats.