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.