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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Astros' Rafael Montero: Clears waivers, sent to Triple-A
The Houston Astros outrighted Rafael 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Astros' Rafael Montero: DFA'd by Houston
The Houston Astros designated Rafael 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.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Astros' Rafael Montero: Pitching well to begin 2024
Rafael Montero allowed one walk and no hits while striking out one across a scoreless inning to earn a hold Saturday against the Nationals.The Houston 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Astros' Rafael Montero: Takes loss with ugly line
Rafael 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.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Astros' Rafael Montero: Picks up save
Rafael 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.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Astros' Rafael Montero: Remaining in Houston
Rafael Montero signed a three-year, $34.5 million deal to return to the Houston Astros on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.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.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Astros' Rafael Montero: Works out of trouble to earn save
Rafael 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.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Astros' Rafael Montero: Allows two runs in win
Rafael Montero (5-2) earned the win Saturday against the Orioles. He allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one over one inning.Montero entered in the eighth inning with the game tied and gave up a single to Ryan Mountcastle to lead things off followed by a two-run homer from Anthony Santander to put the Houston Astros down 9-7. However, Houston's offense came right back to score four runs in the ninth and give Montero the victory. The reliever had not allowed a run in nine straight appearances coming in, and it was his first win since July 28.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Astros' Rafael Montero: Picks up 13th save
Rafael 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.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
Astros' Rafael Montero: Picks up save Monday
Rafael 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.