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
Kyle Tucker launched a three-run homer and matched a season high with four hits against the team that traded him in December, and the Chicago Cubs routed Houston 12-3 on Saturday night to stop the Astros' five-game winning streak.
Tucker also scored four times to pace a Cubs lineup that pounded out 15 hits, including three by Dansby Swanson. Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch and Nico Hoerner also went deep.
Chicago hit three homers in an inning for the second time this season during a seven-run fourth. Busch and Hoerner had back-to-back solo shots to put the Cubs on top 3-2, and Tucker’s drive made it 7-2.
The offensive outburst came in support of Colin Rea (5-3), who allowed two runs and five hits over five innings. The only blemish on his line was rookie Cam Smith’s two-run homer in the third, which briefly gave the Astros a 2-1 lead.
Smith, part of the package Houston received for Tucker, finished with two hits and has homered in consecutive games for the first time in his career.
Lance McCullers Jr. (1-3) came off the injured list and allowed eight runs on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings.
Isaac Paredes, also part of the Astros' trade return for Tucker, hit his 17th home run.
Key moment
Tucker’s three-run homer in the fourth that put the Cubs ahead 7-2.
Key stat
McCullers has a 10.89 ERA in five home starts this season, but hasn’t allowed an earned run in three road starts.
Up next
Houston LHP Framber Valdez (8-4, 2.88 ERA) opposes RHP Jameson Taillon (7-5, 4.77 ERA) when the series concludes Sunday.
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