Montero made Houston’s season-opening bullpen as a non-roster invitee, but finds himself on the move to Atlanta after making just three relief appearances. The 34-year-old veteran righty provides the Braves with some experienced middle relief depth for next to nothing since the Astros are covering the majority of his $11.5 million salary.

No team was interested in picking up Montero’s $11.5 million salary for 2025, and he wasn’t about to forfeit it either, so he’ll head to Triple-A Sugar Land for now. The best-case scenario outcome for both sides here would be Montero turning things around to the point that he can return to Houston and make an impact in middle relief somewhere down the line.

The 33-year-old right-hander was in the second season of a three-year, $34.5 million contract with the Astros, so it’s highly unlikely that anyone claims him off of waivers and assumes the remainder of the deal. Montero has struggled out of the Astros’ bullpen this season, registering a 4.70 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and a 23/19 K/BB ratio over 38 1/3 innings in his 41 appearances.

Montero came in during the seventh inning and allowed a walk and then a double as Sugar Land scored the go-ahead run. The 33-year-old reliever allowed two or more hits in three of his six appearances during spring camp and has posted a 9.64 ERA. His velocity on his fastball has decreased and it appears he’s looks like he won’t offer much from a fantasy perspective in 2024.