Rafael Montero (born October 17, 1990) is a Dominican professional

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for the

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(MLB). Montero signed with the

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as an international free agent in 2011, and made his MLB debut with them in 2014. He has also played in MLB for the Texas Rangers,

Seattle Mariners The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. The Mariners compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. The team joined the American ...

, and

Houston Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...

Professional career

New York Mets

Minor leagues

Montero signed with the

as an international

free agent In professional sports, a free agent is a player or manager who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under a contract at present ...

on January 20, 2011. Nearing his 21st birthday he signed at a much older age than most Dominican players. In his first professional season he went 5-4 with a 2.15 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 71 innings. In 2012, Montero went 11-5 with a 2.36 ERA, with 110 strikeouts and 19 walks in 122 innings. Prior to the 2013 season, ''

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'' ranked him as the Mets' fifth best prospect. He started the season with the Double-A

Binghamton Mets The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are an American Minor League Baseball team based in Binghamton, New York. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club. The Rumble Ponies play in Mi ...

. He was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas 51s in June. In 2013, with Binghamton and Las Vegas went 12-7 with a 2.43 ERA with Binghamton and a 3.05 ERA with Las Vegas, with 150 strikeouts and 35 walks in innings pitched.

Major leagues

2014

Montero was promoted on May 14, 2014, with

Dillon Gee Dillon Kyle Gee (born April 28, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins. In addit ...

going to the disabled list with a lat strain. Montero started against the

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on the same day. In the top of the third inning, Montero recorded his first major league strikeout, by getting

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on a 3-2 fastball. He earned his second strikeout against Brett Gardner in the top of the fifth inning. Montero earned the loss as the Mets lost 0-4 as he pitched six innings giving up 5 hits, 3 runs, 2 home runs, 2 walks and struck out 3. He was sent down on May 31 to make room for

Buddy Carlyle Earl Lester "Buddy" Carlyle (born December 21, 1977) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and current coach. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, New York Yanke ...

on the roster. On August 11, pitcher

Jacob deGrom Jacob Anthony deGrom (born June 19, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Mets. DeGrom began playing baseball as a shortstop ...

went on the disabled list with rotator cuff tendinitis. Montero was called up on August 12 in deGrom's place. On August 23, Montero was re-sent back to the 51s to make room for deGrom coming off the disabled list. He was recalled on September 6 as part of the September call-ups. He was later moved to the bullpen on September 13. Montero finished the season with a 1-3 record, 4.06 ERA in 10 games with 42 strikeouts in 44.1 innings pitched with a WHIP of 1.511 while giving up 44 hits, 21 runs (20 of them earned), 8 home runs, and 23 walks.

2015

On April 17, 2015, Montero was sent down to the 51s to make room for Danny Muno. He was recalled up on April 27 to replace Muno on the roster. A day later he was once again sent down as

Jack Leathersich John Victor Leathersich (born July 14, 1990) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Pittsburgh Pirates between 2015 and 2017. Amateur career After graduating from Beverly Hi ...

was called up. On April 29, it was discovered that his rotator cuff was swelling and placed on the disabled list. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list on July 24. Montero would never pitch again in 2015. Montero finished the season with a 0-1 record, 4.50 ERA in 5 games (one start) with 13 strikeouts in 10 innings pitched with a WHIP of 1.400 while giving up 9 hits, 6 runs (5 of them earned), and 5 walks.

2016

Montero began the 2016 season with the 51s. He was called up on April 12, with Eric Campbell being demoted to the 51s. Montero made one start with an ERA of 8.02 pitching 19 innings while giving up 23 hits, 17 runs (all earned), 4 walks and 16 strikeouts.

2017

In 2017, Montero made 34 appearances (18 starts) for New York, and compiled a 5-11 record and 5.52 ERA with 114 strikeouts over 119 innings of work.

2018: Lost season

Montero underwent

Tommy John surgery Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, sometimes referred to as Tommy John surgery is a surgical graft procedure where the ulnar collateral ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with either a tendon from elsewhere in the patient's body, ...

after suffering a UCL tear and missed the entire 2018 season. He elected free agency on November 3, 2018.

Texas Rangers

2019

On December 4, 2018, Montero signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers. Starting on June 17, 2019, Montero made appearances for the rookie-level Arizona League Rangers, Double-A

Frisco RoughRiders The Frisco RoughRiders (often shortened to 'Riders) are a Minor League Baseball team of the Texas League and the Double-A (baseball), Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Rangers. Based in Frisco, Texas, the team is named aft ...

, and Triple-A

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as he made his way back from Tommy John surgery. On July 22, the Rangers selected Montero's contract and promoted him to the major leagues. With Texas in 2019, Montero went 2–0 with a 2.48 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 29 innings.

2020

The following year, Montero was 8-for-8 in save opportunities, the first saves of his major league career, as he recorded a 4.08 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 19 strikeouts in innings during the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

-shortened season.

Seattle Mariners

On December 15, 2020, Montero was traded to the

in exchange for Jose Corniell and a

player to be named later In Major League Baseball, a player to be named later (PTBNL) is an unnamed player involved in exchange or "trade" of players between teams. The terms of a trade are not finalized until a later date, most often following the conclusion of the seaso ...

(PTBNL). The PTBNL, Andres Mesa, was sent to

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on June 14, 2021. In 40 games for the Mariners, Montero struggled to a 7.27 ERA with 37 strikeouts. On July 23, 2021, Montero was

designated for assignment Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must, within seven days, return the pla ...

by the Mariners.

Houston Astros

2021

On July 27, 2021, Montero was traded to the

along with

Kendall Graveman Kendall Chase Graveman (born December 21, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Marin ...

in exchange for infielder

Abraham Toro Abraham Josue Toro (born December 20, 1996) is a Canadian professional baseball third baseman, second baseman and first baseman for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Houston Astros, Seattle ...

and pitcher Joe Smith. He made four appearances for Houston, allowing one un

earned run In baseball, an earned run is any run that was fully enabled by the offensive team's production in the face of competent play from the defensive team. Conversely, an unearned run is a run that would not have been scored without the aid of an erro ...

over six innings, three hits, two walks, and struck out five.

2022

Montero avoided arbitration with the Astros on March 22,

2022 The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...

, agreeing to a $2.275 million contract for the season. He earned his first save of the season on April 28 pitching in the ninth versus the

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, while yielding a home run to

Corey Seager Corey Drew Seager (born April 27, 1994) is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is often regarded as one of the best sh ...

before closing out a 3–2 win. Montero struck out two on July 3 in a 4–2 victory over the

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in which Astros pitchers struck out 20 batters to establish a franchise record in a nine inning contest. Contributing were starter Framber Valdez (first six innings), Héctor Neris (7th), Montero (8th) and

Ryan Pressly Thomas Ryan Pressly (born December 15, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros. He has also played for Team ...

(9th). On August 15, Montero endured a rare collapse as he was charged three of four runs in the eighth inning without having recorded an out, taking the loss in a 4–2 defeat versus the

Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...

. On August 31, 2022, Montero closed out the ninth versus the Rangers for his tenth save, the first time he had recorded double-figures in saves in a season. Over the 2022 regular season, Montero made 71 relief appearances and accumulated innings, 2.37 ERA, 14 saves, and 5–2 W–L record, and allowed 47 hits, three home runs, and 23 bases on balls with 73 strikeouts. He ranked third in the AL in pitching appearances, and tied for seventh in holds (23), and ranked second on the Astros pitching staff in both holds and saves. Montero made his postseason debut on October 11, 2022, in Game 1 of the

American League Division Series In Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series (ALDS) determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series. The Division Series consists of two best-of-five series, featuring ea ...

(ALDS). He pitched a clean ninth inning and was the winning pitcher in an 8–7 Astros' walk-off win over the Mariners. Montero appeared in each game of the ALDS, delivered shutout innings, allowed three total baserunners, and struck out three batters. On November 2, 2022, Montero relieved Bryan Abreu in the eighth inning of Game 4 of the

World Series The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been contested since between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winning team, determined through a best- ...

, with a

no-hitter In baseball, a no-hitter or no-hit game is a game in which a team does not record a hit (baseball), hit through conventional methods. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in ...

on the line. Montero came close to allowing a hit with two outs in the inning on a line drive to right field, but it was caught with ease by right fielder Kyle Tucker. Montero was then relieved by

for the 9th inning, who completed the no-hitter. The Astros defeated the

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in six games to give Montero his first career World Series title. Following the World Series, Montero became a free agent.

2023

On November 15, 2022, Montero re-signed with the

Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...

on a 3-year, $34.5 million contract. In 68 appearances for Houston in 2023, he struggled to a 5.08 ERA with 79 strikeouts across innings pitched.

2024

Montero made 41 appearances for Houston in

2024 The year saw the list of ongoing armed conflicts, continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Myanmar civil war (2021–present), Myanmar civil war, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudane ...

, compiling a 4.70 ERA, 8 home runs, 35 hits, 19 walks with 23 strikeouts and 1.409

walks plus hits per inning pitched In baseball statistics, walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) is a Sabermetrics, sabermetric measurement of the number of Baserunning#Becoming a runner, baserunners a pitcher has allowed per Innings pitched, inning pitched. WHIP is calculate ...

(WHIP) in innings of work. On July 31, 2024, Montero was designated for assignment. He cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to the Triple–A

Sugar Land Space Cowboys The Sugar Land Space Cowboys are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros Major League Baseball club. They are located in Sugar Land, Texas, part of the Greater Houston metro ...

of the

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(PCL) on August 3. At Sugar Land, he made 17 appearances, and registered a 1–1 record and 2.20 ERA allowing 13 hits and 9 walks while recording 24 strikeouts and a 1.347 WHIP in innings. The Space Cowboys proceeded to win a minor league-best 93 games, the PCL championship, and the

Triple-A National Championship Game The Triple-A National Championship Game is a single interleague postseason baseball game between the league champions of the two affiliated Triple-A leagues of Minor League Baseball (MiLB)—the International League (IL) and Pacific Coast Leagu ...

, both the first championships of their respective type for Sugar Land. While pitching in the minor and winter leagues, Montero increased the usage of his slider and lowered the velocity of his changeup at the Astros' direction.

2025

On March 27,

2025 So far, the year has seen the continuation of major armed conflicts, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Sudanese civil war, and the Gaza war. Internal crises in Bangladesh post-resignation v ...

, the Astros selected Montero's contract after he made the team's

Opening Day Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball (MLB) and most of the American minor leagues, this day typically falls during the first week of April, although in recent year ...

roster. In 3 appearances for Houston, he recorded a 4.50 ERA with 5 strikeouts across 4 innings pitched.

Atlanta Braves

On April 8, 2025, Montero, along with cash considerations, was traded to the

in exchange for Patrick Halligan.

Personal life

Montero and his wife, Yasmina, have one daughter, born in 2020.

References

;Footnotes ;Sources

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Montero, Rafael 1990 births Living people Arizona League Rangers players Atlanta Braves players Binghamton Mets players Brooklyn Cyclones players Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in the United States Dominican Summer League Mets players Frisco RoughRiders players Gulf Coast Mets players Houston Astros players Kingsport Mets players Las Vegas 51s players Leones del Escogido players Major League Baseball pitchers Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic 21st-century Dominican Republic sportsmen Nashville Sounds players New York Mets players People from Elías Piña Province Savannah Sand Gnats players Seattle Mariners players St. Lucie Mets players Texas Rangers players 2023 World Baseball Classic players World Baseball Classic players of the Dominican Republic