HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A month and a half after parting ways with Jose Abreu, the Houston Astros have designated relief pitcher Rafael Montero for assignment. The 33-year-old pitcher was in the midst of a three-year, $34.5 million contract.
The Astros announced this decision on Wednesday, following the team’s moves at the trade deadline to acquire former Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi and former New York Yankees reliever Caleb Ferguson. To make room for these new additions on the 40-man roster, Houston designated Montero for assignment and optioned reliever Seth Martinez to Triple-A Sugar Land.
Kikuchi and Ferguson reported to the team on Wednesday.
What does designating Montero for assignment mean?
Essentially, the Astros are cutting ties with the seven-season MLB veteran. This action removes him from the 40-man roster, giving the team several options over the next week. The Astros can place Montero on waivers, allowing the other 29 MLB teams to claim him. If he clears waivers without being claimed, Montero can be released, making him a free agent. Alternatively, the team can send him to the minor leagues, but this requires Montero’s consent.
Since the trade deadline has passed, trading Montero is not an option.
Regardless of the outcome, Montero is still owed $11.5 million by the Astros for this season and the next.
Montero, who began his MLB career with the New York Mets in 2014 at the age of 23, appeared in 41 games this season, recording 23 strikeouts and allowing 20 earned runs over 38.1 innings, resulting in a 4.70 ERA. The Astros initially acquired him in a trade with the Seattle Mariners in 2021.
