New catcher focused on playing for Blue Jays now

Wearing his new Toronto Blue Jays jersey, Miguel Montero wanted to put behind him his petulant parting from the Chicago Cubs.

“It wasn’t the perfect departure, but it is what it was. I live the moment, and I just really don’t look back at the past right now,” he said Tuesday. “It happened already. It’s over. So I’m just worried about today, and whatever happened, happened. Time to forget.”

The denouement of Montero’s time with the World Series champions transpired quickly.

He criticized pitcher Jake Arrieta on June 27 for a slow delivery that led to seven stolen bases in a 6-1 loss to Washington, was designated for assignment the next day and was dealt Monday for a player to be named or cash.

A two-time All-Star, Montero hit .286 with four homers and eight RBIs in 44 games this season.

He has thrown out one of 31 base stealers this season after catching just five of 64 last year.