The Yankees are dipping into the veteran market to bolster their bullpen depth, bringing in a familiar name for New York baseball fans. Rafael Montero, a seasoned right-hander with over a decade of big-league experience, has signed a free agent deal with the Bronx Bombers.
If the name rings a bell, it should - Montero broke into the majors with the Mets back in 2014 and spent four seasons in Queens. Now 35, he’s coming full circle, returning to New York with a World Series ring and a winding MLB journey behind him.
Montero’s career has been anything but linear. His early years with the Mets were rocky - a 5.38 ERA over 58 games from 2014 to 2017 didn’t exactly scream long-term fixture.
But he found new life in Texas, where he posted a sharp 3.09 ERA across two seasons with the Rangers. From there, he bounced around, pitching for the Mariners and Astros in 2021 before settling into a more consistent role in Houston.
And it was in Houston where Montero arguably found his stride. Over parts of four seasons with the Astros, he became a reliable bullpen arm, logging 187 appearances and a 3.82 ERA. That stint included a key role in the Astros’ 2022 World Series run - a championship that added some serious hardware to his resume.
In 2025, Montero’s season was split between three clubs. He struggled with the Braves, posting a 5.50 ERA in 36 outings, but rebounded nicely in Detroit, where he turned in a 2.86 ERA over 20 appearances to close out the year. Across the season, he averaged 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings - just below his career mark of 8.9 - showing that he still has the ability to miss bats when he’s locked in.
Montero’s overall career ERA sits at 4.68, but numbers don’t always tell the full story. He’s a battle-tested veteran who’s pitched in high-leverage spots, including the postseason. That kind of experience doesn’t grow on trees - and it’s exactly the kind of depth the Yankees are looking for as they gear up for a run in 2026.
Whether Montero cracks the Opening Day roster remains to be seen. But given the wear and tear that comes with a 162-game season, it’s a good bet he’ll get his shot in pinstripes at some point. And when he does, it won’t be his first time under the bright lights of New York.