The Astros outrighted Ortega (elbow) on Monday and he elected free agency, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Ortega signed a one-year contract with Houston in March, but he never pitched a single inning during the 2024 regular season. He underwent surgery in March to remove loose bodies in his right elbow, and he had a follow-up procedure in late June to remove a bone spur from the same elbow. If Ortega does catch on with another team, it's unclear whether he'll be available to pitch for the start of spring training.
Ortega underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday to remove a bone spur from his right elbow, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Ortega underwent an operation during the offseason to remove loose bodies in the same elbow, and his most recent surgery will ensure that he misses the entire 2024 campaign. An exact recovery timeline has not been provided, but the 27-year-old right-hander will aim to return at some point next season.
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Astros' Oliver Ortega: Moved to 60-day IL
Rotowire
Ortega (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL on Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The Astros placed Ortega on the 15-day injured list at the end of March. The righty found himself facing a recovery timeline of 3-to-4 months after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. The 27-year-old is being shifted to the 60-day IL to create a 40-man roster spot for Wander Suero.
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Astros' Oliver Ortega: Heads to IL
Rotowire
The Astros placed Ortega (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Ortega is facing a recovery timeline of 3-to-4 months after he underwent surgery last week to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. The 27-year-old reliever could be a candidate to shift to the 60-day IL later in the season when the Astros need to make room on the 40-man roster for another player.
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Astros' Oliver Ortega: Out several months
Rotowire
Ortega underwent surgery Thursday to remove loose bodies in his right elbow, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Ortega traveled back to Houston on Tuesday in order to get his elbow checked out, and the procedure will keep him sidelined for three-to-four months. He will almost certainly begin the season on the 60-day IL, opening a roster spot in Houston's bullpen.
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Astros' Oliver Ortega: Nursing elbow issue
Rotowire
Ortega is returning to Houston on Tuesday to be evaluated for an elbow injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Ortega was claimed off waivers by Houston in late October after finishing last season on the injured list with a back strain, and he's now dealing with an elbow injury. The 27-year-old is likely to begin the season on the injured list if he requires any sort of shutdown period.
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Astros' Oliver Ortega: Making spring debut
Rotowire
Ortega (back) is scheduled to make a relief appearance Monday in the Astros' Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Ortega will be making his spring debut in the Astros' fourth Grapefruit League game, an indication that he's fully healthy after he spent the final five weeks of the 2023 season on the Twins' injured list with a left lumbar strain. Claimed off waivers by Houston in the offseason, Ortega will look to impress in spring training as he aims to secure a spot in the Astros' Opening Day bullpen.
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Astros' Oliver Ortega: Claimed by Houston
Rotowire
Houston claimed Ortega (back) off waivers from the Twins on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Ortega will remain on the 60-day injured list for now as he recovers from the left lumbar strain that he suffered in late August. The 27-year-old reliever owns a career 4.03 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 51:27 K:BB in 58 total innings of work at the major-league level.
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Twins' Oliver Ortega: Moves to 60-day IL
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Ortega (back) was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Monday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Ortega was moved to the 60-day IL to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Kody Funderburk, who had his contract selected from Triple-A St. Paul prior to Monday's contest against Cleveland. The transaction effectively rules Ortega out for the rest of the 2023 campaign, as he wouldn't be eligible for activation until late October.
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Twins' Oliver Ortega: Lands on injured list
Rotowire
The Twins placed Ortega on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left lumbar strain, John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Ortega was forced out of his appearance Tuesday against Milwaukee after experiencing tightness in his back during the seventh inning. Now, he'll be sidelined for at least two weeks as he recovers. Jordan Balazovic was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move.
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Twins' Oliver Ortega: Exits with back tightness
Rotowire
Ortega exited Tuesday's game against the Brewers with lower back tightness, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Ortega entered the game in the seventh inning and got two outs while walking three across 25 pitches. He grimaced after throwing a slider in the dirt and then exited the game. While the length of his absence is unclear, it's seemingly a positive that he avoided an arm issue.
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Twins' Oliver Ortega: Exits in seventh inning
Rotowire
Ortega exited Tuesday's game against the Brewers with an apparent injury, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Ortega entered the game in the seventh inning and was seen grimacing after throwing a slider in the dirt. He left the mound shortly thereafter, but additional details have yet to emerge.
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Twins' Oliver Ortega: Gets call from Triple-A
Rotowire
Ortega was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
After getting sent down to Rochester on July 26, Ortega turned in a 0.87 ERA with 15 strikeouts against two walks across 10.1 innings over his seven appearances. He'll now get the chance to fill a middle-innings role in the Minnesota bullpen after the Twins optioned the struggling Jordan Balazovic to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
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Twins' Oliver Ortega: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Twins optioned Ortega to Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
After allowing three runs in the ninth inning during Tuesday's loss to the Mariners, Ortega's ERA ballooned to 4.50 through 14 innings this season. Ortega has been solid overall in both the majors and Triple-A, so there's plenty of reason to believe he'll be back with the Twins later this summer. A corresponding move will be announced Wednesday.
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Twins' Oliver Ortega: Emerges as reliable middle reliever
Rotowire
Ortega allowed four hits and no walks while striking out three over two scoreless innings Sunday against the White Sox.
After giving up two runs in his first outing of the season on June 27, Ortega has since allowed just two runs in 12 innings with a 11:2 K:BB. He's quickly become a much-needed option in middle relief for the Twins.
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Twins' Oliver Ortega: Recalled from St. Paul
Rotowire
Minnesota recalled Ortega from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Ortega will return to the Twins' bullpen ahead of Tuesday night's game in Atlanta as Brock Stewart (elbow) heads to the injured list. Ortega, 26, got lit up in his previous major-league stint and figures to operate in a low-leverage role.
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Twins' Oliver Ortega: Back in minors
Rotowire
The Twins optioned Ortega to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Ortega was selected from Triple-A on Tuesday and surrendered two earned runs over one inning during his appearance against Boston. He'll now return to the minors to open a spot for Kenta Maeda (triceps), though Ortega will retain his spot on the 40-man roster.
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Twins' Oliver Ortega: Added to roster
Rotowire
The Twins selected Ortega's contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday.
Ortega earned the promotion after posting a 2.42 ERA and 28:7 K:BB over 22.1 innings with St. Paul. He'll provide the Twins' bullpen with a fresh arm.
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Twins' Oliver Ortega: Shifts to MiLB camp
Rotowire
Ortega was reassigned to the Twins' minor-league camp Thursday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Ortega split time last season between the Angels and their Triple-A affiliate, racking up 33 strikeouts in 34 major-league innings alongside a 3.71 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. His spring numbers were solid too, so he will return to Triple-A and likely be one of the top candidates to be called up should the Twins need more depth in their bullpen.
