On August 30th, a year and a day after his best start of 2016, he managed to pitch a rare gem against the Cincinnati Reds, this time.
At the end of the 8 1/3 innings, he kept Cincinnati to three hits and earned a 2-0 victory in what has been his best performance thus far as a starting pitcher. 5-11, 5.52, 119 innings: That was his final record, with 119 innings pitched.
He went into spring training hoping to get work as a long reliever when the Mets’ starting rotation returned to health in 2018.
Due to Tommy John surgery, his season was over after a torn ulnar collateral ligament ended his chances of making the squad in the final week of camp.
In January 2019, he signed a contract with the Texas Rangers as a free agent, and he returned to the mound in 2019.
With a 2-0 record and a 2.48 ERA in 22 games of bullpen work, he struck out 34 batters while walking just five over 29 innings.
When the season was cut short, he threw 17 innings, going 0-1, 4.08, with 8 saves. For P Jose Corniell and a player to be named later, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners on December 15.
The first four months of the 2021 season did not go well for him, as he went 5-3 with seven saves but an ERA of 7.27 in 40 games.
For Abraham Toro and Joe Smith, the Houston Astros acquired him just days after he was designated for assignment, along with another reliever, Kendall Graveman, who had been pitching brilliantly.
What Team Is Rafael Montero On?
Rafael Montero is on the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball. He joined the Astros through a trade on On July 27, 2021.