Houston Astros finally move on from polarizing player

ROSTER SHUFFLE

Houston Astros finally move on from polarizing player
Rafael Montero is no longer with the big league club. Composite Getty Image.

Coming off the trade deadline, we thought the Astros news cycle might slow down a bit. Clearly, that is not the case, as the Houston Astros DFA'd relief pitcher Rafael Montero on Wednesday afternoon.

 

Montero was the last reminder of an offseason in which Astros owner Jim Crane had a hands-on approach to free agency after parting ways with GM James Click after the 2022 World Series.

Jose Abreu (3-year, $58,500,000) also signed with the Astros that offseason, and was released earlier this year.

After recording a 2.37 ERA in 2022, which earned him a 3-year, $34,500,000 contract extension, Montero has struggled the last two seasons. He posted a 5.08 ERA in 2023, and a 4.70 ERA in 2024.

Houston hopes newly acquired reliever Caleb Ferguson can give the bullpen a boost as they approach the final stretch of the season.

In the meantime, Astros GM Dana Brown hopes Montero accepts the demotion to Sugar Land.

 


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The Astros beat the Nationals, 7-4. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.

Yainer Diaz and Mauricio Dubón each had three hits, and the Houston Astros beat the Washington Nationals 7-4 on Tuesday night to stop a five-game slide.

 

Christian Walker had two hits and two RBIs for the AL West-leading Astros. Bennett Sousa (5-0) got four outs for the win, and Josh Hader struck out the side in the ninth for his 28th save.

Luis García Jr. hit a two-run drive for last-place Washington, which had won three straight and five of seven overall. CJ Abrams had three hits.

García connected for his ninth homer in the third inning, lifting the Nationals to a 2-1 lead. But Diaz responded with a solo shot in the fourth for his 14th homer.

Walker singled and scored on Cooper Hummel’s pinch-hit single in the fifth, and the Astros grabbed control with three more runs in the sixth.

Altuve singled home Dubón for a 4-2 lead, and Walker followed with a two-run single against Andry Lara.

Andrew Chafin (1-1) took the loss.

Washington right-hander Michael Soroka allowed two runs and four hits in 3 1/3 innings in his final start before Thursday’s trade deadline.

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