ATLANTA -- The Braves continued to tinker with their bullpen on Tuesday, when they acquired right-handed reliever Rafael Montero and cash from the Astros in exchange for a player to be named later.
Montero posted a 2.37 ERA in 71 appearances for Houston in 2022. But he constructed a 4.94 ERA over the 109 appearances he combined to make for the Astros the past two years. The 34-year-old reliever has made two scoreless appearances, totaling three innings, since allowing two hits and two earned runs over an inning during his March 31 season debut.
“They say he’s been throwing the ball well and he’s got experience,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “You get excited when you get a guy like that. Hopefully, we can help him get back to where he was.”
The undisclosed cash included in the deal will cover a majority of Montero’s $11.5 million salary. He is eligible for free agency at the end of this season.