Oliver Ortega (born October 2, 1996) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins.
| Oliver Ortega | |
|---|---|
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: October 2, 1996 Nagua, Dominican Republic | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 8, 2021, for the Los Angeles Angels | |
| MLB statistics (through 2023 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 2–4 |
| Earned run average | 4.03 |
| Strikeouts | 51 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Professional career
editLos Angeles Angels
editOrtega signed with the Los Angeles Angels as an international free agent on February 10, 2015.[1][2] He spent the 2015 season with the DSL Angels, going 1–3 with a 4.33 ERA over 43+2⁄3 innings.[3] He spent the 2016 season with the AZL Angels, going 2–3 with a 2.83 ERA over 28+2⁄3 innings.[3] Ortega did not appear in a game in 2017.[3] He spent the 2018 season with the Burlington Bees, going 4–5 with a 3.51 ERA over 82 innings.[3]
Ortega split the 2019 season between the Inland Empire 66ers and the Mobile BayBears, going a combined 4–5 with a 3.34 ERA and 121 strikeouts over 94+1⁄3 innings.[4][1] Ortega was a 2019 California League All-Star.[5] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
Ortega received his first promotion to the major leagues when the Angels selected his contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on September 1, 2021. He made his major league debut on September 8, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief against the San Diego Padres.[7]
On June 26, 2022, Ortega recorded his first major league save, pitching the final two innings of a 2–1 victory over the Seattle Mariners.[8] He was designated for assignment on December 22, following the signing of Brandon Drury.
Minnesota Twins
editOn January 6, 2023, Ortega was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins.[9] On January 10, Ortega was designated for assignment by Minnesota following the acquisition of A. J. Alexy.[10] On January 17, Ortega cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints.[11] In 16 games for the St. Paul, Ortega recorded a 2.42 ERA with 28 strikeouts and 2 saves in 22+1⁄3 innings of work. On June 20, the Twins selected his contract to the major league roster.[12] In 10 games for Minnesota, he logged a 4.30 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 14+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 24, Ortega was placed on the injured list with a left lumbar strain.[13] He was transferred to the 60–day injured list on August 28, ending his season.[14]
Houston Astros
editOn October 25, 2023, Ortega was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros.[15] On March 21, 2024, it was announced that Ortega would miss three to four months after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow.[16] On June 26, Ortega underwent season–ending surgery to remove a bone spur from the same elbow.[17] On November 4, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, but rejected the assignment and elected free agency.[18]
References
edit- ^ a b Mobile BayBears (August 4, 2019). "Highly-rated pitching prospect Oliver Ortega joins BayBears". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ Mike Greyshock (February 13, 2015). "Angels Sign Dominican Prospect Oliver Ortega". Halo Hangout. FanSided. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Oliver Ortega player page". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ Sam Dykstra (November 19, 2019). "Toolshed: 40-man protection preview". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ Pete Marshall (June 17, 2019). "California League All-Star game comes to San Bernardino's San Manuel Stadium". The San Bernardino Sun. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
- ^ Bollinger, Rhett. "Ortega brings lively fastball to MLB debut". MLB.com. MLB. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
- ^ "Angels' Oliver Ortega: Posts two-inning save". CBSSports.com. Paramount Global. June 26, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- ^ "Twins Claim RHP Oliver Ortega Off Waivers from Angels". twinsdaily.com. January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ "Twins' Oliver Ortega: DFA'd by Twins". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ "Twins' Oliver Ortega: Outrighted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ "Twins' Oliver Ortega: Added to roster". cbssports.com. June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ "Twins' Oliver Ortega: Lands on injured list". cbssports.com. August 24, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ^ "Twins' Oliver Ortega: Moves to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. August 28, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ^ "Astros' Oliver Ortega: Claimed by Houston". cbssports.com. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ "Astros reliever Oliver Ortega undergoes right elbow surgery". houstonchronicle.com. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ "Oliver Ortega Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
- ^ "José Urquidy Clears Waivers And Becomes Free Agent". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet