RAFAEL MONTERO NEWS

Outrighted to Triple-A Montero cleared waivers and was outrighted by the Astros to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday.

Impact Montero was DFA'd by Houston on Wednesday, but he didn't garner interest from another team and has elected to stay within the organization rather than enter free agency. Montero has appeared in 41 games for the Astros this season, registering 10 holds with a 4.70 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 23:19 K:BB across 38.1 innings.

AUGUST 3 • ROTOWIRE

DFA'd by Houston The Astros designated Montero for assignment Wednesday.

Impact Montero is in the second year of a three-year, $34.5 million contract, and the Astros appear willing to absorb what remains on that deal. The veteran reliever made 41 appearances for Houston this season, posting a 4.70 ERA and 23:19 K:BB over 38.1 innings. Montero will pass through waivers unclaimed before eventually being released.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette scratched from lineup against Astros because of forearm bruise

Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette was scratched from the lineup for Thursday afternoon’s game against Houston because of a right forearm contusion

JULY 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brown pitches 6 innings, Peña and Alvarez homer as Astros beat Blue Jays 3-1 for 10th win in 11

Hunter Brown pitched six shutout innings, Jeremy Peña and Yordan Alvarez hit home runs and the Houston Astros beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 for their 10th win in 11 games

JULY 1 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Austin Slater's game-winning single in 10th lifts Giants past Astros 4-3

Austin Slater lined the game-winning single into left field with one out in the 10th inning, rallying the San Francisco Giants from two runs down in the inning to beat the Houston...

JUNE 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bregman and Diaz homer in the 8th to lift the Astros to a 7-4 win over the Cardinals

Alex Bregman and Yainer Diaz homered in the eighth inning, helping the Houston Astros top the St. Louis Cardinals 7-4

JUNE 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pitching well to begin 2024 Montero allowed one walk and no hits while striking out one across a scoreless inning to earn a hold Saturday against the Nationals.

Impact The Astros were projected to have a strong bullpen with Josh Hader, Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu all leading the way in high-leverage situations. However, each has struggled to begin the new campaign, while Montero has now turned in nine scoreless performances in 11 appearances. He's pitched primarily in the sixth and seventh innings this season, though he could earn higher-leverage work given his solid start.

APRIL 21 • ROTOWIRE

Blanco follows no-hitter with six 1-hit innings as Astros beat Rangers 3-1

Houston right-hander Ronel Blanco followed his no-hitter with one-hit ball over six scoreless innings, and the Astros beat the Texas Rangers 3-1

APRIL 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chandler Rome: Rafael Montero's latest implosion leaves his... - The Athletic Rafael Montero's latest implosion leaves his season ERA at 7.42 after 19.2 innings. Montero faced eight batters during the eighth inning of...

MAY 24, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Rafael Montero's bad luck — and big contract — puts him under a microscope. The Astros reliever is paid to get results, and while those haven't been there so far, there are signs that better times may be coming.

MAY 16, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Chandler Rome: Rafael Montero in four May outings: 3.2 IP, 8 H... - The Athletic Rafael Montero in four May outings: 3.2 IP, 8 H, 9 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. After allowing two runs in the eighth inning of Saturday night's 3-1 loss...

MAY 14, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

MLB bad beats: With 4% chance of winning, Mariners score 7, stun Astros

Astros and Under bettors were four outs from cashing in before the Mariners exploded for seven runs in the latest MLB bad beat.

MAY 7, 2023

Takes loss with ugly line Montero (0-1) allowed four earned runs on three hits and a walk to take the loss Saturday against the Mariners.

Impact Montero was tasked with protecting a three-run lead in the eighth inning, and he retired the first two batters he faced. However, he allowed the next four batters he faced to reach base -- two of which were on infield singles --to suffer the ugly line and his first loss of the campaign. Montero has otherwise been solid, as he had turned in scoreless appearances in 10 of his 14 previous opportunities.

MAY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Alvarez's bases-clearing double sends Astros past White Sox

Yordan Alvarez hit a go-ahead three-run double in the seventh inning, and the Houston Astros rallied past the Chicago White Sox 6-3 on Friday night for their first win of the seaso...

APRIL 1, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Picks up save Montero allowed a hit and tallied one strikeout in a scoreless inning to earn a save over the White Sox.

Impact Montero was charged with a blown save in the eighth inning of Thursday's loss but was immediately given a shot to redeem himself. He worked around a one-out single by Tim Anderson on Friday to pick up the save during the 6-3 win. Ryan Pressly took a loss Thursday and did not pitch in Friday's game.

APRIL 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Montero, Astros finalize $34.5 million, 3-year contract

Reliever Rafael Montero finalized a $34.5 million, three-year contract to remain with the World Series champion Houston Astros, a deal that could be worth $36.75 million over three...

NOVEMBER 15, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Remaining in Houston Montero signed a three-year, $34.5 million deal to return to the Astros on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Montero's emergence as a trustworthy high-leverage option helped the Astros to a World Series title. The veteran righty carried a career 5.18 ERA and 1.56 WHIP into last season but finished the year with a 2.37 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. He also saved a career-high 14 games. The Astros have fully bought into this new version of Montero and now have him under contract through the end of his age-34 season. He should remain in a setup role behind Ryan Pressly to start the year but could claim the closer job if Pressly struggles or gets injured.

NOVEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Astros, reliever Montero agree on 3-year deal (source) Right-handed reliever Rafael Montero and the Astros have agreed on a three-year, $34.5 million contract, sources tell MLB Network insider Jo...

NOVEMBER 12, 2022 • MLB.COM

MLB free-agent pitcher rankings: Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander lead top 20

The 2022 free-agent class has quite a few top pitchers, including Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander. We rank the top 20 and project some pot...

NOVEMBER 11, 2022

Astros' offseason involves Baker contract, free agents

The Houston Astros just won their second World Series in six years and have been a consistent presence in the playoffs

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

2022 World Series: Pitching Ninja breaks down Astros' combined no-hitter

Game 4 of the World Series was a prime example of the sheer depth of Astros pitching — combining to shut down the Phillies' powerful line-up...

NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Astros' combined no-hitter: All the reaction, images from historic night

The Astros made baseball history with just the second no-hitter in World Series annals. Check out all the postgame interviews and images fro...

NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Javier, Astros pitch 2nd no-hitter in World Series history

Cristian Javier and Houston’s bullpen combined on just the second no-hitter in World Series history, silencing a booming lineup and boisterous ballpark as the Astros blanked the Ph...

NOVEMBER 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Schwarber's 2 big swings go 756 feet, get Phillies nothing

Kyle Schwarber had big swings on consecutive pitches for the Philadelphia Phillies when they needed a comeback in Game 2 of the World Series

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Astros burst ahead, beat Phillies 5-2, tie World Series 1-1

Framber Valdez made a five-run lead stand up after Houston’s lightning first-inning burst, Alex Bregman homered and the Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-2 to tie the World S...

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS