RAFAEL MONTERO NEWS

Alvarez has 2 HRs in return to lead Astros over Angels 8-3

Yordan Alvarez homered twice with four RBIs in his return after missing five games because of COVID-19 health and safety protocols to lead the Houston Astros to an 8-3 win over the...

APRIL 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Astros place All-Star closer Ryan Pressly on 10-day IL

The Houston Astros placed All-Star closer Ryan Pressly on the 10-day injured list due to inflammation in his right knee

APRIL 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Strong start to season Montero allowed one hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Montero entered the game in the eighth inning with the score tied at one. He allowed a two-out single, but was in relative control throughout the appearance. Montero has turned in three scoreless outings to begin the campaign, racking up five strikeouts and no walks while also earning a win and a hold.

APRIL 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Peña homers with parents watching, Astros thump Angels 13-6

Jeremy Peña hit his first major league home run while his parents were being interviewed on the broadcast, Kyle Tucker went deep twice and the Houston Astros pounded the Los Angele...

APRIL 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Available out of bullpen Montero (lat) is listed among the Astros' available relievers for Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact He'll be pitching for the first time this spring after he was a delayed arrival at camp due to a visa issue. Montero missed the final two months of the 2021 campaign with a right lat strain, but after a full offseason of recovery, the 31-year-old is believed to be healthy heading into Opening Day. He'll likely serve as a middle reliever for Houston during the upcoming campaign.

APRIL 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reports to camp Montero (lat) reported to the Astros' big-league camp Wednesday after resolving his visa issue, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Impact As a reliever, Montero likely won't require much build-up time in advance of Opening Day, despite having missed nearly two weeks' worth of workouts. However, he'll still need to prove that he's fully recovered from the right lat strain that kept him sidelined from Aug. 8 onward last season. If healthy, Montero will likely settle into a middle-relief role for Houston to begin the 2022 season.

MARCH 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Signs deal without arbitration Montero (lat) agreed to a one-year, $2.725 million deal with the Astros on Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact The deal allows the two sides to avoid arbitration. Montero's arrival at camp has been delayed by visa issues, which make it tough to tell whether or not the lat strain he battled down the stretch last year is still a problem.

MARCH 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Delayed by visa issues Montero (lat) has yet to arrive at camp due to visa issues, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Several players around the league are dealing with similar issues, but Montero should still have time to get ready for the season if the delay doesn't last too long. Montero's availability is also in question due to the lat injury which kept him out down the stretch last year, though it should become clear once he arrives whether or not that's still an issue.

MARCH 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Braves look to finish off Astros in Game 6 of World Series

The Braves will take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 of the WS

NOVEMBER 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Braves look to finish off Astros in Game 5 of World Series

The Braves will take a 3-1 series lead into Game 5 of the WS

OCTOBER 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Atlanta looks to expand lead over Houston in World Series

The Braves will take a 2-1 series lead into Game 4 of the WS

OCTOBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Astros will look to even series with Braves in Game 2

Max Fried and the Braves will take a 1-0 series lead into Game 2 of the World Series

OCTOBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

World Series set to begin with Houston hosting Atlanta in Game 1

Framber Valdez and Houston will play Atlanta in Game 1 of the World Series

OCTOBER 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Houston looks to clinch pennant with victory over Boston

Houston will look to clinch a series win with a victory over Boston in Game 6 of the ALCS

OCTOBER 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Red Sox will face Astros in Game 5 of ALCS

The Red Sox and Astros are tied 2-2 in the ALCS with Game 5 scheduled for Wednesday

OCTOBER 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Boston looks to extend ALCS lead over Houston in Game 4

The Boston Red Sox will take a 2-1 series lead over Houston into Game 4 of the ALCS

OCTOBER 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Houston will look to extend series lead over Boston in Game 2

The Astros will take a 1-0 series lead into Game 2 of the ALCS

OCTOBER 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Boston will play Houston in the opening game of the ALCS

Framber Valdez and Houston will host Boston in Game 1 of the ALCS

OCTOBER 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Houston looks to clinch series win with victory over Chicago

The Astros will take a 2-1 series lead into Game 4 of the ALDS

OCTOBER 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chicago will face Houston in the first game of the ALDS

Houston will host Chicago in Game 1 of the ALDS

OCTOBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Irvin scheduled to start for Oakland against Houston

The Athletics will start Cole Irvin on Sunday while the Astros are expected to counter with Jose Urquidy

OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Odorizzi expected to start as Houston hosts Oakland

The Athletics will start Paul Blackburn on Saturday and the Astros are expected to counter with Jake Odorizzi

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

McHugh expected to start for the Rays against Astros

The Rays will start Collin McHugh on Thursday while the Astros are expected to counter with Lance McCullers Jr

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Completes bullpen session Montero (lat) completed a bullpen session Wednesday, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Impact Montero is still hoping to pitch again for the Astros this season, but with just four games left on the Astros' schedule following Wednesday's contest against the Rays, he'll face an uphill battle to get activated before Sunday's finale. The 30-year-old has been on the shelf since Aug. 10 with a right lat strain, so he'll presumably need to face hitters in some capacity before Houston would entertain reinstating him.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Garcia expected to start for the Astros against the Rays

The Astros will send Luis Garcia to the mound Wednesday and the Rays plan to give Drew Rasmussen the start

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS