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.