Braves add to bullpen depth by acquiring right-hander Rafael Montero from Astros

By: Charles Odum, The Associated Press Posted: 8:04 PM CDT Tuesday, Apr. 8, 2025 Last Modified: 11:42 PM CDT Tuesday, Apr. 8, 2025

Advertise with us

ATLANTA (AP) — The Braves added to their bullpen depth on Tuesday night by acquiring right-hander Rafael Montero from the Houston Astros along with $7.7 million that will cover just over 70% of his remaining salary.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/04/2025 (194 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Atlanta will send the Astros a player to be named.

Montero, 34, has a 4.71 ERA in 11 seasons. Of his 324 career games, only 30 came as a starter, including none since 2017. He allowed two runs and three hits over in four innings this season.

FILE - Houston Astros relief pitcher Rafael Montero (47) delivers during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, April 6, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)

“They said he’s been throwing the ball really well,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of his team’s scouts.

“He’s a veteran. You kind of get a little excited when you get a guy like that.”

Montero made his major league debut in 2014 with the New York Mets and has pitched the last five seasons for Houston.

Montero is owed $10,696,237 from his $11.5 million salary in the final season of a $34.5 million, three-year contract. Houston will pay Atlanta $3.85 million each on May 1 and July 1.

He signed the big contract ahead of the 2023 season and Montero’s ERA more than doubled that year to 5.08. He was designated for assignment with a 4.70 ERA last July 31, then was assigned outright to Sugar Land and made 17 appearances for the Triple-A farm team. Restored to the major league roster last month, he had a 4.50 ERA in three appearances for Houston this season.

Montero has a 3.81 ERA in 187 games with the Astros. He has 30 career saves, including 14 for Houston in 2022, when he contributed to a World Series championship.

Montero had a 2.51 ERA in 15 postseason games with Houston.

Houston will recall left-hander Bennett Sousa from Sugar Land to replace Montero on the active roster.