Montero (1-2) allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits while retiring one batter to blow a save and take the loss in Saturday's extra-innings contest against the Marlins.
With Will Vest having already pitched the ninth and 10th innings, the Tigers had to turn to Montero in the 11th to protect a 4-3 lead. The veteran righty couldn't get the job done in an ineffective performance. Montero has a rough 4.88 ERA overall this season, though he's been better since joining Detroit before the trade deadline, posting a 3.71 ERA across 17 innings so far. He should remain in a middle-relief role with limited fantasy appeal.
Tigers' Rafael Montero: Effective in longest 2025 outing
Rotowire
Montero tossed 2.2 scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 7-0 loss to the Athletics. He walked one batter and struck out four.
After starter Casey Mize was tagged for five runs in just 3.1 innings, Montero came on and gave the Tigers some valuable long relief. It was the veteran righty's longest outing of the season, and he's now covered two or more innings four times this year. Montero has been fairly effective in Detroit since coming over before the trade deadline, posting a 3.48 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 10.1 innings with his new team.
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Tigers' Rafael Montero: Records first win of season
Rotowire
Montero (1-1) worked 1.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win in Thursday's 4-3, 11-inning victory over the Twins. He struck out two.
Montero was needed to record the final four outs of the game, as Kyle Finnegan pitched earlier in the contest and Will Vest wasn't used after recording a save Wednesday. While Montero has pitched better his last two appearances after a rough debut with the Tigers, the veteran righty is still hard to trust with a 5.52 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 43 outings on the season. He'll continue to work in a middle-relief role, with Finnegan and Vest seeing the bulk of Detroit's late-inning work.
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Tigers' Rafael Montero: Pitches better Saturday
Rotowire
Montero tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Angels. He allowed a hit and struck out one.
After allowing two earned runs in an inning during his team debut Tuesday, Montero was better in his second outing since coming over at the trade deadline. The righty is still carrying a 5.49 ERA overall, making him hard to trust in any fantasy format given his middle relief role. Montero should continue to see medium-leverage work for the Tigers.
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Tigers' Rafael Montero: Struggles in team debut
Rotowire
Montero allowed two runs on two hits and a walk across an inning of relief in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Twins.
Montero, who was traded to Detroit from Atlanta before last Thursday's deadline, was making his first appearance in exactly a week. Perhaps as a result of some rust, the veteran righty wasn't particularly sharp in his team debut, and his season ERA climbed to 5.72. Montero can miss some bats, as he has 39 strikeouts in 39.1 innings this year, though he's too volatile at this point to see high-leverage work with the Tigers, which minimizes his fantasy appeal.
Detroit acquired Montero from Atlanta on Wednesday in exchange for infielder Jim Jarvis.
Montero will join his third team of the season after logging a 5.40 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 38.1 innings between Atlanta and Houston. He'll likely fill a middle-relief role for Detroit.
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Braves' Rafael Montero: Pockets sixth hold
Rotowire
Montero gave up a hit in a scoreless seventh inning Friday to record his sixth hold of the season in a win over the Cardinals.
The veteran right-hander has provided some stability in middle relief for Atlanta since coming over from Houston in early April. Over 30 appearances for the NL East squad, Montero has posted a 3.72 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 30:15 K:BB in 29 innings, although he has yet to notch a win or a save in 2025.
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Braves' Rafael Montero: Shipped to Atlanta
Rotowire
The Astros traded Montero and cash to Atlanta on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named later.
Montero has made three appearances out of the bullpen so far this season, giving up two earned runs while striking out five batters across four innings. Now in Atlanta, the 34-year-old reliever will likely remain in the major-league bullpen, but he isn't expected to see many high-leverage opportunities.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Added to roster
Rotowire
The Astros selected Montero's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Montero was removed from the Astros' 40-man roster last season but has made his way back on after a strong spring in which he struck out 10 batters and allowed a .194 batting average against over 8.2 innings in the Grapefruit League. He will serve as a middle reliever for Houston.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Visa problems resolved
Rotowire
Montero reported to Astros camp Monday after previously dealing with visa issues, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Montero wound up being only a few days late in reporting, so his preparation shouldn't be too affected. He's owed $11.5 million in the final year of his contract but is in camp as a non-roster invitee.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Has visa issues
Rotowire
Montero has yet to report to camp due to visa issues but is expected to arrive in a few days, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Montero was removed from the Astros' 40-man roster last August but remained in the organization and will be in camp as a non-roster invitee when he does report. The 34-year-old held a 4.70 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 23:19 K:BB across 38.1 innings in 2024 and is owed $11.5 million in the final year of his contract.
Astros' Rafael Montero: Clears waivers, sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Astros outrighted Montero to Triple-A Sugar Land on Saturday.
After he was designated for assignment Wednesday, Montero unsurprisingly went unclaimed off waivers, given that he's in the second season of a three-year, $34.5 million contract. Montero would have forfeited the money remaining on the contract had he elected free agency, so he'll stick around in the Houston organization and look to impress at Sugar Land with the hope of earning another look in the big-league bullpen. The 33-year-old had 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.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: DFA'd by Houston
Rotowire
The Astros designated Montero for assignment Wednesday.
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 likely pass through waivers unclaimed and will have the ability to elect free agency.
Astros' Rafael Montero: Pitching well to begin 2024
Rotowire
Montero allowed one walk and no hits while striking out one across a scoreless inning to earn a hold Saturday against the Nationals.
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.
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