OLIVER ORTEGA NEWS

Outrighted by Houston The Astros outrighted Ortega (elbow) on Monday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Ortega will now enter free agency rather than stick around with the Astros' organization. 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.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Astros RHP Oliver Ortega has second elbow procedure Houston Astros right-hander Oliver Ortega had a second surgery on his pitching elbow this week and will not appear in a game this season.Ort...

JUNE 27 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Astros left-hander Framber Valdez put on injured list with elbow inflammation

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez was placed on the 15-day injured list because of elbow inflammation as manager Joe Espada said he d he hoped the pitcher will miss only a...

APRIL 9 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Moved to 60-day IL Ortega (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL to create a 40-man spot Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact The Astros placed Ortega on the 15-day injured list at the end of March. The righty found himself facing a recovery timeline of 3-4 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.

APRIL 9 • ROTOWIRE

Claimed by Houston Houston claimed Ortega (back) off waivers from the Twins on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moved to 60-day IL Ortega (back) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Monday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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 prior to Monday's contest against Cleveland. This effectively rules Ortega out for the rest of the 2023 campaign, as he wouldn't be eligible for activation until late October.

AUGUST 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on injured list 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.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with back tightness Ortega exited Tuesday's game against the Brewers with lower back tightness, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Exits in seventh inning Ortega exited Tuesday's game against the Brewers with an apparent injury, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Triple-A Ortega was recalled from Triple-A Rochester, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact Ortega was productive at Triple-A after getting sent down July 26 as he had a 0.87 ERA (10.1 IP, 1 ER) with three saves, 15 strikeouts and two walks. He had a 4.50 ERA (14.0 IP, 7 ER) with 14 strikeouts and four walks in two prior stints with the Twins this season.

AUGUST 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A The Twins optioned Ortega to Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Impact 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.

JULY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Emerging as reliable middle reliever Ortega allowed four hits and no walks while striking out three over two scoreless innings Sunday against the White Sox.

Impact After giving up two runs in his first outing of the season (June 27), Ortega has since given up just two runs in 12 innings with a 11:2 K:BB ratio. He's quickly become a much needed solid middle relief option for the Twins.

JULY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from St. Paul Minnesota recalled Ortega from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact 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.

JUNE 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in minors The Twins optioned Ortega to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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.

JUNE 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Added to roster The Twins selected Ortega's contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday.

Impact 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.

JUNE 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shifted to MiLB camp Ortega was reassigned to the Twins' minor-league camp Thursday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Outrighted to Triple-A Ortega cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A St. Paul by the Twins on Tuesday.

Impact Ortega will remain in the organization after being designated for assignment and has been invited to major-league spring training. The 26-year-old had been a waiver claim of the Twins earlier this month.

JANUARY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

DFA'd by Twins Ortega was designated for assignment by the Twins on Tuesday.

Impact The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for A.J. Alexy, who was acquired via trade. Ortega was just picked up off waivers a few days ago and now could be on the move again. He holds a 3.95 ERA over 35 relief appearances in the majors covering the last two seasons.

JANUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Claimed by Minnesota Ortega was claimed off waivers by the Twins on Friday.

Impact Ortega was recently designated for assignment by the Angels but will remain on a 40-man roster with the Twins. The hard-throwing righty had a 3.71 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 33:18 K:BB across 34 innings last season.

JANUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brandon Drury agrees to 2-year, $17 million deal with Angels

Infielder Brandon Drury has agreed to a $17 million, two-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels

DECEMBER 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

DFA'd by Halos Ortega was designated for assignment by the Angels on Thursday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Impact Ortega had a 1.71 ERA across his first 15 appearances of 2022, but he had a 6.92 ERA in his next 12 outings and finished the campaign in the minors. The 26-year-old has now lost his spot on the 40-man roster, though he'll still likely report to big-league camp for spring training.

DECEMBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hits minor-league IL Ortega (undisclosed) was placed on Triple-A Salt Lake's 7-day injured list Friday.

Impact The cause of Ortega's move to the IL is unclear, but he last pitched for Salt Lake on Tuesday. The right-hander has spent much of the season in the majors, posting a 3.71 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 33:18 K:BB over 34 innings for the Angels.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Heads back to minors The Angels returned Ortega to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

Impact Ortega's stay with the big club lasted just one day after he was designated as the Angels' 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader with the Mariners. He appeared in relief in the Angels' 7-1 win in the second half of the twin bill, striking out two over a scoreless inning.

AUGUST 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Serving as 27th man Ortega was called up to serve as the 27th man for Saturday's doubleheader against Seattle.

Impact Ortega has thrown 33 innings for the big-league bullpen this season, posting a respectable 3.82 ERA. It's unclear if he'll have the chance to stick around beyond Saturday's twin bill.

AUGUST 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Ortega was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Impact Ortega's latest big-league stint lasted just over two weeks. He posted a 3.86 ERA in seven innings of work and recorded his first career save, but he also struggled to a 2.00 WHIP. Reid Detmers was recalled in a corresponding move.

JULY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE