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
Rockets advance to NBA Cup semifinals after thrilling win over Warriors
Dec 11, 2024, 11:50 pm
Jalen Green made two free throws with 3.5 seconds left and the Houston Rockets beat the Golden State Warriors 91-90 on Wednesday night to advance to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas.
Houston snapped a 15-game skid against the Warriors, winning for the first time in the series since Feb. 20, 2020. The Rockets will face Oklahoma City, which beat Dallas in the other West quarterfinal game on Tuesday night, in the semifinals on Saturday.
Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 26 points and 11 rebounds and Jabari Smith Jr. added 15 points.
Houston led by 14 before falling behind late to set up the thrilling finish.
Houston trailed by six with about 1 1/2 minutes left before Fred VanVleet made a 3-pointer and Sengun added a layup with 27 seconds to go to cut the lead to one.
Stephen Curry missed a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left and Gary Payton II grabbed the rebound, but Green intercepted his pass and was fouled by Jonathan Kuminga to set up the winning free throws.
The Warriors had a chance to win it at the buzzer but Smith blocked Brandin Podziemski’s 3-point attempt.
Takeaways
Warriors: Golden State beat the Rockets twice this season without Curry before losing Wednesday in a game where he had 19 points.
Rockets: This young team showed poise in finishing this one after squandering a double-digit lead.
Key moment
Green’s hustle on getting the ball late to draw the foul to set up the winning free throws.
Key stat
Houston won despite making just 6 of 27 3-pointers.
Up next
While Houston heads to Las Vegas this weekend, the Warriors will return to regular-season play Sunday at Dallas.
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