'Fat' Jesus Montero Lost 40 Pounds This Winter

Remember Jesus Montero, the “fat” Seattle Mariners catcher who arrived a Spring Training wildly out of shape after spending his winter at the buffet table and saw his season come to an end in Single A over a confrontation with a scout and an ice cream sandwich? Turns out Montero has lost some weight. Forty pounds to be exact, per The News Tribune and Montero now tips the scales at 235.

Montero spent the holiday period working out at the Mariners Spring Training facility, a far cry from last winter when he was quoted saying “all I did was eat” following winter ball. The Mariners still have some hopes for Montero, who’s basically been a trainwreck the last two seasons with only 118 Major League at bats over that period due to suspension, injury and poor play.

Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik remains hopeful on the 25-year-old, whom he traded Michael Pineda to acquire. From the Tribune:

"“I’ve never given up on Jesus,” Zduriencik said Thursday. “Have I been disappointed? Yes, I think we all have. He’s faced so many issues and made some very poor decisions, but he’s a good kid. “Obviously, he’s got a big egg on his face. But he deserves a second chance. He deserves a third chance.”"

Now is the time on the baseball calendar for unchecked optimism. Everyone gets their redemption stories lined up. Every team crosses its fingers it’ll unearth a gem from it’s non-roster invitees. As always, we’ll all wait-and-see what actually happens, although it would be nice if Montero managed to salvage his career.

Nobody wants to be remembered as that guy who threw the ice cream sandwich, right?

[H/T HBT]