Yankees sign a former World Series champion pitcher in free agency

The New York Yankees are signing a guy who gave them some real headaches in the 2022 playoffs.

Veteran reliever Rafael Montero is joining the Yankees in free agency, MLB reporter Hector Gomez revealed on Thursday. Montero is getting a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training and will earn $1.8 million with an additional $500,000 signing bonus if he makes the big-league roster.

The 35-year-old Montero, a righty pitcher, is an 11-season MLB veteran with an underwhelming 4.68 career ERA. But Montero did enjoy a memorable stint with the Houston Astros from 2021-25.

Montero was a member of the Astros’ World Series-winning team in 2022 and even pitched in their combined no-hitter during Game 4 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Against the Yankees in the ALCS that year as well, Montero was particularly potent, producing multiple scoreless appearances as the Astros won in a four-game sweep.

In April of last season, the Astros traded Montero to the Atlanta Braves, who then traded Montero again to the Detroit Tigers in July. Overall on the year, Montero went 1-2 with a 4.48 ERA and 58 strikeouts over 59 total appearances in relief.

The Yankees’ bullpen took a hit this offseason after two-time All-Star Devin Williams left to sign with a rival team in free agency. Now the Yankees will be hoping that the fellow righty Montero will be able to help them replicate at least some of that production.