Astros trade Abraham Toro, Joe Smith to Mariners for Kendall Graveman, Rafael Montero

Houston Astros third baseman Abraham Toro (13) runs the bases after hitting a solo-home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park.
Houston Astros third baseman Abraham Toro (13) runs the bases after hitting a solo-home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Photo credit Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

(SportsRadio 610) -- The Astros appear to be addressing their bullpen issues ahead of the trade deadline.

MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reported Tuesday afternoon the Astros traded infielder/switch-hitter Abraham Toro and right-handed reliever Joe Smith to the Seattle Mariners for right-handed relievers Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero.

The Astros later confirmed the news.

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Kendall Graveman (49) throws against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at T-Mobile Park.
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Kendall Graveman (49) throws against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at T-Mobile Park. Photo credit Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Astros relief pitcher Joe Smith (38) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at Minute Maid Park.
Houston Astros relief pitcher Joe Smith (38) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning at Minute Maid Park. Photo credit Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

The Astros happen to be in Seattle for a series against the Mariners.

The Houston Chronicle's Chandler Rome reported seeing Toro, who just played for the Astros against the Mariners on Monday night, was seen in a Mariners uniform at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday evening.

Graveman, 30, has gone 4-0 with 10 saves and a 0.82 ERA (3ER/33IP) in 30 games for the Mariners this season.

He’s been one of the best relievers in Major League Baseball in 2021, owning the lowest WHIP (0.70) among all Major League relievers and the lowest ERA, opponent batting average (.136) and opponent OPS (.424) among all AL relievers.

A veteran of seven Major League seasons (2014-18, 2020-21), Graveman has pitched in 124 career MLB games with Toronto (2014), Oakland (2015-18) and Seattle (2020-21).

He is set to become a free agent after this season.

Montero, 30, has gone 5-3 with seven saves and a 7.27 ERA in 40 games for the Mariners this season. A seven-year veteran (2014-17, 2019-21), Montero has spent time with New York-NL (2014-17), Texas (2019-20) and Seattle (2021) in his career.

Montero, who was designated for assignment by Seattle on Friday, is under club control through the 2022 season.

Smith, 37, has gone 1-1 with a 7.48 ERA in 27 games for the Astros this season. The 14-year Major League veteran has pitched his last three seasons in Houston (2018-19, 2021) and has made 809 career relief appearances since debuting in the Majors in 2007.

Toro, 24, has hit .211 with six homers and 20 RBI in 35 games for the Astros this season. He spent parts of the last three seasons in Houston, appearing in 93 Major League games.

Toro was originally acquired as a fifth-round pick in the 2015 MLB draft.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports