Astros' Rafael Montero: Clears waivers, sent to Triple-A
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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
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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.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Pitching well to begin 2024
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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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Astros' Rafael Montero: Takes loss with ugly line
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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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Astros' Rafael Montero: Picks up save
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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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Astros' Rafael Montero: Works out of trouble to earn save
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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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Astros' Rafael Montero: Allows two runs in win
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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 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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Astros' Rafael Montero: Picks up 13th save
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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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Astros' Rafael Montero: Picks up save Monday
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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.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Secures 11th save
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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.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Tallies 10th save
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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.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Picks up ninth save
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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.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Secures save sans Pressly
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Montero recorded a save against the Twins on Thursday by striking out one batter in a perfect inning of work.
Closer Ryan Pressly (neck) went on the 15-day injured list Thursday afternoon, and Montero was given the first opportunity to close in his stead. The right-hander didn't disappoint, retiring the side in order on 16 pitches in the ninth inning. Montero is 8-for-10 in save chances this season, and he'll likely see a majority of Houston's closing opportunities for as long as Pressly remains out of action.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Tallies seventh save
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Montero allowed a hit but recorded the final two outs to tally the save in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees.
Montero was called upon to get the final two outs of the game after Brandon Bielak served up a home run that cut the Astros lead to two. Montero could be in line for save chances in the short term with Ryan Pressly (personal) likely out for most of the team's weekend series against the Mariners, though Hector Neris received the opportunity -- but blew the chance -- in the first game of the doubleheader. Montero has been a strong member of Houston's bullpen all season while maintaining a 1.85 ERA and 43:14 K:BB across 39 frames.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Secures sixth save
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Montero allowed a run on one hit and struck out two in one inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Royals.
A seven-inning scoreless streak came to a close when Andrew Benintendi knocked in Whit Merrifield on a groundout, but Montero was still able to pick up his second save in his last four outings. This was his sixth save of the year, which came after Ryan Pressly was deemed unavailable after warming up but not pitching Monday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports. Through 32.2 innings overall, Montero has been solid with a 1.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 35:11 K:BB while adding 12 holds and three wins as the Astros' primary setup man.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Nabs fifth save
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Montero earned his fifth save Friday against the Yankees after not allowing a hit during a scoreless ninth inning. He had two walks and zero strikeouts.
Closer Ryan Pressly pitched the past two games and blew a save Thursday when he surrendered four runs in one-third of an inning, which opened the window for Montero to step in for the save Friday. The hiccup is unlikely to bump Pressly out of the closer role without further struggles, so Montero, who has a 1.82 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 30:11 K:BB over 29.2 innings this season, should continue to operate as the Astros' setup man.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Struggles to find strike zone
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Montero walked three but pitched a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold Tuesday against the Mariners.
Montero was called upon to protect a one-run lead, but he walked the bases loaded after recording only one out. However, he got Abraham Toro to ground into a double play to sidestep any damage. Montero's struggle to find the strike zone is likely to be an aberration, as he had surrendered only five free passes across 21.2 innings entering Tuesday's appearance. Montero has been excellent in a high-leverage role for the Astros this season, delivering a 1.99 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Nabs save Sunday
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Montero retired the only batter he faced to secure the save in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Royals.
Following Ryan Pressly's ejection for throwing inside and Phil Maton's inability to retire any of the three batters he faced, Montero was able to end a bases-loaded threat. He got Nicky Lopez to ground out to end the game. This was Montero's fourth save of the year, but his first since May 6. He's posted a 2.08 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 24:5 K:BB across 21.2 innings while adding six holds this season. Should Pressly face a suspension for his actions Sunday, Montero figures to be favored for potential save chances while he is absent.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Picks up second win
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Montero (2-0) did not allow a baserunner in a scoreless seventh inning while striking out two to earn the win Sunday against the Mariners.
Montero has allowed only one earned run across 19.2 innings this season while also maintaining a 23:5 K:BB. His dominance was on display Sunday as he needed just nine pitches to set the Mariners down in order. Though Ryan Pressly is locked into the closer role, Montero is capable of delivering excellent ratios and has also racked up six holds on the campaign.
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Astros' Rafael Montero: Secures third save
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Montero struck out one batter in a perfect inning and notched a save against Detroit on Friday.
With Ryan Pressly (rest) getting Friday off, Montero jumped back into the closer role and earned his third save over his last four appearances. The 31-year-old needed just 14 pitches (nine strikes) to retire the Tigers in order. He's now allowed just one run while posting a 17:3 K:BB through 12.1 frames on the year.
