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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
Tigers' Rafael Montero: Shipped to Tigers
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Rafael Montero: Takes loss with ugly line
Rotowire
Montero (0-1) allowed four earned runs on three hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Saturday against the Mariners.
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.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Rafael Montero: Picks up save
Rotowire
Montero allowed a hit and tallied one strikeout in a scoreless inning to earn a save in Friday's win over the White Sox.
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 to pick up the save during a 6-3 win. Ryan Pressly took a loss Thursday and did not pitch in Friday's game.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Rafael Montero: Works out of trouble to earn save
Rotowire
Montero picked up the save with a scoreless ninth inning against the Rays on Sunday. He allowed one hit and two walks while striking out one.
After getting the first batter to fly out to start the ninth inning, Montero allowed three of the next four batters to reach base and enable the go-ahead run to step up to the plate with two outs. All ended well, however, as he got Taylor Walls to ground out to second base to end the game and record his 14th save of the season. Over his last 10 appearances dating back to Sept. 9, Montero has allowed two earned runs over 10 innings with two saves and four holds.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Rafael Montero: Picks up 13th save
Rotowire
Montero earned the save Thursday against Oakland, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning in a 5-2 victory.
Following a line out, Montero struck out the final two batters to pick up his 13th save of the season. Ryan Pressly recorded saves on the last two nights, so Montero was called upon to close out the game for the first time since Sept. 5. He has not allowed a baserunner in six appearances in September, striking out six in six innings of work. He'll likely continue to receive the occasional save chance as the regular season winds down with Pressly continuing to work as the primary closer.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Rafael Montero: Picks up save Monday
Rotowire
Montero earned a save against the Rangers on Monday with a perfect inning that included one strikeout.
Montero continues to fill in admirably for closer Ryan Pressly (neck), and the former has now racked up five saves over the past 12 days. Montero has allowed just one earned run over five innings during that stretch while posting a 7:0 K:BB. He's the clear favorite for save chances whenever Pressly is out, but the latter could be back as soon as Tuesday, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Rafael Montero: Secures 11th save
Rotowire
Montero struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-2 win over the Angels.
Montero is up to four saves in his last four appearances with Ryan Pressly (neck) on the shelf. Friday's outing was as sharp as they come for Montero -- he threw 10 of 14 pitches for strikes in a drama-free save, his 11th of the year. The 31-year-old right-hander has been steady with a 2.59 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 60:21 K:BB while adding 18 holds through 55.2 innings. Montero should continue to operate as the primary closer until Pressly returns, which isn't until next week at a minimum.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Rafael Montero: Tallies 10th save
Rotowire
Montero allowed one hit and struck out one across a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Rangers.
Montero continues to occupy the closer role in the absence of Ryan Pressly (neck), as he has three saves since Aug. 25. He's pitched fairly well in that span, allowing only one earned run across three innings while striking out four and walking nine. Montero will almost certainly cede save chances back to Pressly, though he is in a strong position to provide plenty of saves in the short term.
... See More... See Less
Astros' Rafael Montero: Picks up ninth save
Rotowire
Montero recorded the save Sunday against Baltimore, allowing a run on three hits while striking out two in the ninth inning of a 3-1 victory.
Montero gave up a double to Anthony Santander and an RBI single to Austin Hays to account for Baltimore's first run of the game. After another single and with the winning run at the plate, the 31-year-old punched out Rougned Odor on a 3-2 pitch to end the game. With Ryan Pressly (neck) out, Montero has received the last two save chances for Houston and has nine saves on the year. Pressly will be out until at least Sept. 6, and Montero is likely to get the bulk of the save opportunities in his absence.
