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.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES:
The Astros two trade acquisitions, LHP Yusei Kikuchi (#16) and LHP Caleb Ferguson (#64), have both reported to the club’s active roster.
To make room for the two, the Astros optioned RHP Seth Martinez to Triple A Sugar Land after last night’s game.…
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 31, 2024
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.
Dana Brown says they hope Montero accepts the assignment, and goes down to Sugar Land and fixes the issues.
He’ll have a few days to talk it over. https://t.co/kLjxeeVNkD
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) July 31, 2024
Christian Walker delivers late heroics to push Astros past Rockies
Aug 28, 2025, 4:08 pm
Christian Walker homered twice, capped by a tiebreaking solo shot in the eighth inning to lift the Houston Astros to a 4-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.
ANOTHA ONE. pic.twitter.com/ZSotUshBrA
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 28, 2025
The game was tied 3-3 with no outs when Walker sent the first pitch from Luis Peralta (1-2) into left center field. Walker also homered in the first inning to make this the 15th multi-homer game of his career.
Oppo for Walker! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/ZUt9Q1Qcco
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 28, 2025
Jose Altuve also homered for the Astros, who won a second straight after dropping the series opener.
GOATuve. pic.twitter.com/CMeDnExsOj
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 28, 2025
The Rockies had a chance to take the lead when they loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh. Jordan Beck reached on a catcher’s interference call on César Salazar, but Kaleb Ort struck out Brenton Doyle to leave everyone stranded.
Bryan King (4-3) threw a scoreless eighth for the win and Bryan Abreu allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth for his fourth save.
Altuve and Walker hit back-to-back homers with two outs in the first inning to put Houston up 2-0. Mauricio Dubón scored on a bunt single by Salazar to push the lead to 3-0.
The Rockies loaded the bases with one out in the third and made it 3-1 when Mickey Moniak grounded into a force out that sent a run home.
Ezequiel Tovar homered into the seats in right field with two outs in the fourth.
Yanquiel Fernández tied it when he belted his second homer this season to right field in the fifth.
Key moment
Walker’s second home run.
MLB.com's Brian McTaggart caught up with Walker after the big win.
A clean-shaven Christian Walker led the Astros to a razor-thin win over the Rockies pic.twitter.com/wvE1n6hXMv
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 28, 2025
Key stat
The Rockies left 10 men on base.
Up next
Colorado RHP Germán Márquez (3-11, 5.67 ERA) is expected to come off the injured list Friday to oppose RHP Cade Horton (8-4, 2.88) in the opener of a three-game series against the Cubs.
Houston RHP Cristian Javier (1-1, 5.40) opposes LHP Tyler Anderson (2-8, 4.73) when the Astros open a four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels Friday night.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
