Full name is Rafael Montero Quezada.
2025
In 59 combined games with the Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers, went 1-2 with a 4.48 ERA (60.1 IP, 42 H, 34 R/30 ER, 37 BB, 58 K, 5 HR)…began the season with the Astros, posting a 4.50 ERA over three appearances (4 IP, 2 ER)…was acquired by the Atlanta Braves from Houston along with cash considerations in exchange for a player to be named later (RHP Patrick Halligan) on 4/8…went 0-1 with a 5.50 ERA (34.1 IP, 27 H, 22 R/21 ER, 21 BB, 34 K, 3 HR) in 36 relief outings with the Braves…was acquired by the Detroit Tigers from Atlanta in exchange for INF Jim Jarvis on 7/30…made 20 appearances with Detroit, going 1-1 with a 2.86 ERA (22 IP, 12 H, 10 R/7 ER, 14 BB, 19 K, 2 HR)…recorded his 500th career strikeout on 8/14 at Minnesota…made his third career postseason, making an appearance in ALDS Game 1 at Seattle (0.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB)…elected free agency on 11/2.
2024
Made his third consecutive Opening Day roster with the Astros, going 1-2 with a 4.70 ERA (20 ER/38.1 IP) in 41 games...Logged a .200 opponent batting average (14-for-70) vs. right-handed hitters, allowing just four extra-base hits...Posted a 3.04 ERA (eight ER/23.2 IP) while recording a .205 opponent batting average (17-for-83) and a 1.06 WHIP through his first 24 appearances of the season...Was scoreless in 18 of the 24 outings...Was designated for assignment on July 31 and eventually accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Sugar Land...Went 1-1 with a 2.20 ERA (four ER/16.1 IP), 24 strikeouts and a .217 opponent batting average in 17 games with Triple-A Sugar Land to close out his season.
2023
Spent the 2023 campaign mostly in a middle relief role, going 3-3 with a 5.08 ERA (38ER/67.1IP) with one save and 79 strikeouts through 68 games...Struggled early on during the year but regained high-leverage innings in the second half of the season...Recorded a 2.25 ERA (11ER/36IP) with 43 strikeouts, a .224 opponent's batting average and a 1.28 WHIP through his final 25 appearances...Was tied for ninth in the AL with 79 strikeouts, which were also his single-season career high as a reliever...Also posted a career-best 10.56 strikeouts per-nine-innings, surpassing his previous high of 10.55 SO/9 with the Rangers in 2019...Per Baseball Savant, averaged 96.1 mph with his fastball, which was the second-fastest mark of his career behind only an average of 96.4 mph in 2022...Collected his lone save of the season in his second appearance of the season on March 31 vs. CWS (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO)...Made his fifth appearance on an Opening Day roster, also, 2015, 2017, 2021 and 2022..Was his second Opening Day as an Astro...Participated with Team Dominican Republic in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings in two appearances...Recorded a 3.60 ERA (2ER/5IP), with three walks, eight strikeouts and a 1.00 WHIP in the Postseason...Finished the Astros' wins in Game 3 of the ALDS at Minnesota and Game 4 of the ALCS at Texas, recording a scoreless and hitless inning in each appearance.
2022
Setup man turned in career year in his first full season with the Astros, posting a 2.37 ERA and a 163 ERA+ in 71 games, which set a new career high...served as closer when RHP Ryan Pressly was unavailable, earning 14 saves, a career high...also recorded 23 holds, a career-high by 16...Career highs reached in 2022: apps (71), ERA (2.37), FIP (2.64, min. 2g), WHIP (1.02, min. 30IP), opponent BA .193, (min. 18IP), opponent OBP (.268, min. 30 IP), opponent SLG (.267) and OPS (.535), holds (23)...Was dominant at home, posting a 1.76 ERA and allowing a .175 opponent batting average at Minute Maid Park...in one-run games, went 2-1 with a 1.26 ERA...did not allow a single run in May and held batters to a .135 BA against him...left-handers only hit .158 (18x114) against him...got himself into a 3-0 count just once all season...AL season ranks: tied for third in appearances (71), tied for sixth in holds (23), 11th in innings (68.1) and 12th in saves (14)...Made his fourth Opening Day roster, his first with the Astros...Against the Diamondbacks on April 13, the Astros used six pitchers, including five Dominican-born pitchers: LHP Framber Valdez, RHP Ronel Blanco, RHP Cristian Javier, Montero and RHP Hector Neris...according to Elias Sports, this tied a Major League record, which has been reached only four other times, also by the 2006 D-backs (3x) and the 2009 Royals (once)...Worked a scoreless eighth inning on July 3 vs. LAA, recording two of the Astros 20 strikeouts on the day...the 20 Ks tied an MLB record for a 9.0-inning game...To close regular season, allowed just two earned runs across last 15 app. (14.2IP)...In his first career Postseason, pitched in 10 games while going 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA and four holds in 9.1 innings...struck out 10 and allowed a .156 opponent batting average...earned win in 1st career playoff appearance...went 1.2 innings in G2 of WS, allowing 1 hit and earning a strikeout... Astros went 9-1 in games that he pitched in...Pitched a scoreless 8th inning in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series against the Phillies, combining with RHP Cristian Javier (6IP), RHP Bryan Abreu (1IP) and RHP Ryan Pressly (1IP) to toss just the third no-hitter in postseason history...The free agent re-signed with the Astros on a three-year contract on Nov. 15.
2021
Combined to go 5-4 with seven saves and a 6.39 ERA (35ER/49.1IP) in 44 games between the Mariners (40g) and the Astros (4g)...owned a 3.90 FIP on the season..Made the Mariners Opening Day roster and began the year as the club’s closer...handed a blown save on Opening Day, April 1 vs. SF (1ER/1IP)...converted seven of 12 save opportunities on the year...Had a 5.29 ERA thru June 20, thru his first 32 appearances...allowed multiple runs in seven of his last eight appearances with the Mariners before being designated for assignment on July 23...Acquired by the Astros four days later on July 27 in part of a four-player deal near the trading deadline...also came to Houston with RHP Kendall Graveman in exchange for RHP Joe Smith and IF Abraham Toro...Would make four appearances for the Astros, tossing 6.0 innings, while not allowing an earned run..Hit the IL on Aug. 10 with right shoulder discomfort, later diagnosed as a right lat strain...the injury would end his season.
2020
Appeared in 17 games for the Texas Rangers, going 0-1 with 8 saves and a 4.08 ERA (8 ER, 17.2 IP), 19 strikeouts and zero blown saves...Was the Rangers closer, going 8-for-8 in save opportunities...was one of just three pitchers in the Majors in 2020 with at least eight saves and no blown saves (also: CLE’s Brad Hand, 16-for-16; and NYY’s Zack Britton, 8-for-8)...He allowed an earned run in just four of his 17 appearances...Had a 2.19 ERA (3 ER, 12.1 IP) in 12 home appearances and opponents slashed .159/.229/.295/.525 (7-44) at home against him.
2019
Returned to the majors for the 1st time since 2017 and led Texas relievers in holds (7), innings (29.0), SO (tied-34), and opp. avg (.217) from 7/22 through the end of the season…also ranked among team leaders in that span in games (T2nd, 22) and games finished (3rd, 6)…his 6.80 SO/BB rate ranked 9th among A.L. pitchers (min. 25.0 IP) over that same span.
SUMMARY: Had a 1.42 ERA (3 ER/19.0 IP) over 1st 12 G and a 4.50 ERA (5 ER/10.0 IP) over 10 G in September…did not allow a walk over final 13 G/14.0 IP…logged 2.0 SHO IP in TEX debut 7/23 at SEA, 1st ML appearance since 10/01/17 at PHI with the Mets…win 8/4 vs. DET was 1st since start for NYM on 9/9/17 vs. CIN…took blown save 9/10 vs. TB in 1st career save opportunity, allowing 2 R on 3 H (3B-HR-1B).
BY THE NUMBERS: Was scoreless in 16 of 22 games…held LHB to a .111/.143/.222/.365 slash line…season highs with 2.1 IP and 43 pitches in 1st career relief win on 8/4 vs. DET…did not allow any of his 5 inherited runners to score, and has permitted just 1 of 19 (5.3%) to score in his career…opponents swung and missed 29.8% of the time, easily his highest rate in any ML season (prev. 24.5% in 2016).
MINORS: The non-roster invitee to ML spring camp opened the year on the Nashville (AAA) injured list as he continued to rehab from right elbow surgery…did not appear in an official game until 6/17…combined to go 1-0, 3.44 (18.1 IP, 17 H, 7 R-ER, 2 BB, 31 SO) in 11 G/5 GS for the AZL Rangers (Rookie), Frisco (AA), and Nashville…held opponents to a .239 batting average with a 1.04 WHIP.
2018
Made seven appearances for the Mets in spring training, but exited outing on 3/20 at STL after facing just 3 batters after suffering a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow…had 'Tommy John' ligament replacement surgery on the elbow on 3/27 performed by Dr. David Altchek in New York.
2017
Appeared in a career-high 34 games and made a career-high 18 starts...Also set career-highs in wins, innings pitched and strikeouts...Earned the win on June 25 at San Francisco, his first win since September 10, 2014...Went 4-1 with a 3.22 ERA (13 earned runs/36.1 innings) over a seven-game (six-start) stretch from August 14-September 9.... The Mets were 5-2 in those seven games...Over his last nine starts, he went 4-3 with a 3.91 ERA (22 earned runs/50.2 innings pitched)...Struck out five or more batters in nine of his last 12 starts...Tossed 5.0 or more innings in seven of his last nine starts...Turned in a career-best 12.1 inning scoreless streak from August 30-September 4...That streak included a career-high 8.1-inning outing on August 30 at Cincinnati...Averaged 8.62 strikeouts per nine innings and had 11 games with 10 or more swing and misses.
2016
Was recalled from Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League on August 28...Also with the Mets from April 13-23...Went 0-1 with a 7.36 ERA (nine earned runs/11.0 innings) in three starts and 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA (eight earned runs/8.0 innings) in six relief outings...Started and fired 5.0 shutout innings and allowed two hits in a no-decision on August 29 vs. Miami...Also started on September 6 at Cincinnati and September 12 at Washington...Stranded all seven inherited runners...Went 4-6 with a 7.20 ERA (64 earned runs/80.0 innings) in 16 starts with Las Vegas and 4-3 with a 2.20 ERA (12 earned runs/49.0 innings) in nine starts with Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League...Named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for the week of May 9-15...Went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA after not allowing a run in two starts (11.2 innings)...Was named the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 25-31...Went 1-1 with a 1.35 ERA (two earned runs/13.1 innings) in two starts during the week...Struck out 15 and walked three.
2015
Made his first Opening Day roster...Optioned to Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League on April 17...Recalled from Vegas on April 28... Optioned once again on April 29...His option was rescinded and he was placed on the 15-Day Disabled List on April 30 with right rotator cuff inflammation...Did not pitch in the majors the rest of the season...Made his only start of the year on April 28 at Miami...Struck out six batters in 5.2 innings while allowing three earned runs in a no-decision...Posted a 1.64 ERA (two earned runs/11.0 innings) in five rehabilitation appearances between the GCL Mets (R) and St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League...Struck out seven batters.
2014
Began his season with Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League, making eight starts, going 4-1 with a 3.67 ERA (17 earned runs/41.2 innings)...Made his major league debut on May 14 against the Yankees at Citi Field, taking the loss in the Mets' 4-0 defeat...Pitched 6.0 innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs...The only other Mets to make their major league debut in the Subway Series were Jaime Cerda (June 28, 2002) and Jacob deGrom (May 15, 2014)...Was placed on the minor league Disabled List after straining his left oblique following his start at Oklahoma City on June 14, when he pitched 0.1 innings and threw five pitches...Was recalled from Las Vegas on August 12, making three appearances, two starts with the Mets, going 0-1 with a 4.97 ERA (seven earned runs/12.2 innings)...Was optioned to Las Vegas on August 23...Was recalled from Las Vegas on September 7...Made three appearances, two starts to conclude his season with the Mets, going 1-0 and posting a 0.77 ERA (one earned run/11.2 innings)...Over his first five starts, posted a 6.12 ERA (17 earned runs/25.0 innings) while striking out 21, walking 13 and allowing eight home runs...Over his final three major league starts, posted a 1.00 ERA (two earned runs/18.0 innings), striking out 19 and walking eight, while allowing no home runs...Posted an 11.1 scoreless inning streak from September 10-September 27...Pitched a career-high 7.1 innings while allowing one earned run on August 17 against the Cubs at Citi Field...Fanned a season-best 10 in his third career start on May 25 against Arizona at Citi Field...Became the fourth Mets pitcher to strike out 10 or more in one of his first three games. Earned his first major league win in his seventh career start on September 10 against Colorado at Citi Field...Pitched 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing three hits with seven strikeouts...Made two relief appearances, allowing one hit and one earned run over 1.1 innings of work, while striking out two and walking two...Allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his eight starts...As a starter, posted a 3.98 ERA (19 earned runs/43.0 innings)...As a reliever, posted a 6.75 ERA (one earned run/1.1 innings)...Righties hit .215 (17-79) against, while lefthanded batters had a .293 (27-92) average...Five of his eight home runs came against lefthanded batters...Allowed 23 walks over 44.1 innings with the Mets for a BB/9 rate of 4.67...In his eight starts, had a 4.40 BB/9 rate, highest among major league rookie starters (minimum 40.0 innings)...Walked 34 batters in 16 starts with Las Vegas this season (80.0 innings) for a BB/9 rate of 3.83...Entered the year with a career BB/9 rate of 1.73...Was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for the week of August 4-10 after tossing two consecutive scoreless outings for Las Vegas.
2013
Named to Baseball America's First Team Minor League All-Star team... Went 12-7 with a 2.78 ERA ( 48 earned runs/155.1 innings) in 27 combined starts between Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League and Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League... Was voted the Sterling Award winner symbolic of the top player on his Las Vegas team…It was his third year in the organization and his third Sterling Award…Was the Organizational Pitcher of the Year in 2012 and the Most Valuable Pitcher on his Gulf Coast League team in 2011... Led all Mets' minor leaguers with 150 strikeouts, while allowing just six home runs with 35 walks... Started the Futures Game for the World Team on July 13 at Citi Field…Pitched a scoreless inning... Became the first pitcher from any organization to make a start in the Dominican Summer League and then make a start in Triple-A two years later... Made a spot start for Las Vegas at Iowa on May 21... At Binghamton he had 72 strikeouts in 66.2 innings, an average of 9.72 per nine innings... At Double A, righthanded batters hit .188 (26-138) against him, while lefthanded batters compiled a .223 (25-112) average against him... Was 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two June starts (14 innings)... With Binghamton he went at least six innings in eight of his 11 starts... In Las Vegas he was 3-1 with a 1.40 ERA in six starts in August...In 38.2 innings, he gave up 27 hits, with six runs, earned, six walks and 37 strikeouts... Went 8.0 innings to turn back Memphis on four hits on August 4.
2012
Named the Sterling Pitcher of the Year...Finished fourth in the organization with a 2.36 ERA and third with 11 wins...Walked 19 batters the entire season, or four percent of the batters he faced...Began the season with Savannah (A) of the South Atlantic League, promoted to St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League on June 21...Named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week on August 13 after taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning on August 7 at Palm Beach...Placed on the Disabled List from August 10th until the end of the year with a right ankle contusion...His combined record with Savannah and St. Lucie was 11-5 with a 2.36 ERA in 20 games, all starts...In 122.0 innings, he gave up 96 hits, 37 runs, 32 earned, with 19 walks and 110 strikeouts...At Savannah, opponents hit .223 against him (61-274), while at St. Lucie, teams batted .196 against him (35-179)...In seven starts in May and June at Savannah, he was 4-2 with a 1.85 ERA (nine earned runs in 43.2 innings)...Went a season-high eight innings to turn back Greensboro on June 1...Allowed no runs on four hits with no walks and six strikeouts...Also went seven innings once and six innings five times...Won his last three starts for St. Lucie from July 24-August 7...Went 19.1 innings over that stretch he gave up 13 hits, five runs, and four earned with an ERA of 1.86...Struck out 14 in 6.0 innings in a victory at Clearwater on July 31st...Fanned 10 in 6.0 innings at Brevard County on July 17th...Pitched at least 6.0 innings in seven of his 12 starts for Savannah.
2011
Won the Sterling Award emblematic of Most Valuable Player on his Gulf Coast (R) team...Also combined to go 3-1 in six games (four starts) at Kingsport (R) of the Appalachian (R) and Brooklyn (A) of the New York-Penn League.
