Free-agent relief pitcher Rafael Montero has agreed to a new contract to remain with the Houston Astros, a person briefed on the matter confirmed to The Athletic on Saturday. The deal is still pending a physical. Here’s what you need to know:
- Montero and the Astros agreed on a three-year, $34.5 million deal, the person briefed on the matter confirmed. ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the terms.
- The 32-year-old posted a 2.37 ERA in 68 1/3 innings pitched and allowed three home runs during the 2022 season with the World Series champions.
- Opponents slashed .191/.268/.267 against the right-handed reliever during the regular season, and he continued to shine in the postseason.
Backstory
Montero was traded to the Astros from the Mariners in July 2021 along with Kendall Graveman in exchange for Joe Smith and Abraham Toro. He’s coming off a season in which he recorded 73 strikeouts and a career-high number of saves at 14.
The move by Houston helps solidify what is an already deep Astros bullpen that includes closer Ryan Pressly, Bryan Abreu and Ryne Stanek, as well as Hector Neris. Montero’s fastball has averaged 96.5 miles per hour.
Required reading
- How Astros reliever Rafael Montero went from struggling with the Mariners to helping eliminate them
- The top 50 MLB free agents of 2022-23: Carlos Correa, Aaron Judge and more game changers
- MLB free agency: What you need to know, key dates and top players
(Photo: Troy Taormina / USA Today)