RAFAEL ORTEGA NEWS

Good shot to win roster spot Ortega has a good shot to win an Opening Day roster spot with the Yankees following the injury to Harrison Bader (oblique), Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Impact Manager Aaron Boone noted that Ortega was firmly in the mix even before Bader's injury and now his roster spot might be cinched. He could even get a good number of starts in center field while Bader is out if the team prefers to keep Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks on the corners. Ortega posted a .753 OPS as a semi-regular with the Cubs over the previous two seasons.

MARCH 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yankees announce spring training non-roster invitees OF Willie Calhoun, RHP Tyler Danish, INF Wilmer Difo, RHP Demarcus Evans, RHP Ian Hamilton, OF Michael Hermosillo, OF Billy McKinney, RHP Ja...

FEBRUARY 7, 2023 • MERCURYNEWS.COM

Chris Kirschner: Notable players who've been invited to Yankees... - The Athletic Notable players who’ve been invited to Yankees spring training: Anthony Volpe Jasson Dominguez Austin Wells Andres Chaparro Elijah Dunham Ra...

FEBRUARY 7, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Rafael Ortega Gives Yankees Another Low-Risk Option in Left New York added another left-handed hitting outfielder on a minor league deal

JANUARY 4, 2023 • SACBEE.COM

Catches on with Yankees Ortega signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Tuesday, Empire Sports Media reports.

Impact The deal presumably includes an invite to major-league spring training. Ortega is a solid depth signing for a team which has a couple injury risks in center field in Harrison Bader and Aaron Hicks and a left fielder in Oswaldo Cabrera whose main experience is as an infielder. The 31-year-old had an .823 OPS as a part-timer with the Cubs in 2021 before falling off to a .688 OPS in 2022.

JANUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Becomes free agent The Cubs declined to tender Ortega a contract for 2023, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact With that, Ortega is now a free agent. This comes just a little over a year after Ortega's incredible run in his debut with the Cubs (.291/.360/.463 line, 11 homers and 12 steals in his first 103 games). As is often the case, the league started pitching him differently and the results suffered. Ortega is already 31 but figures to stick around the league for now as a reserve outfielder.

NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs tender All-Star outfielder Happ contract for next year

The Chicago Cubs tendered All-Star outfielder Ian Happ a contract for next season, part of a flurry of moves

NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cincinnati Reds host the Chicago Cubs Tuesday

The Cincinnati Reds face the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs visit the Reds for season opener

The Cincinnati Reds host the Chicago Cubs in the season opener

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reds look to break skid in matchup with the Cubs

The Cincinnati Reds aim to stop their six-game skid when they take on the Chicago Cubs

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reds aim to end 5-game losing streak, play the Cubs

The Cincinnati Reds look to end their five-game skid with a win against the Chicago Cubs

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reds bring 4-game losing streak into matchup against the Cubs

The Cincinnati Reds look to break their four-game skid with a victory over the Chicago Cubs

OCTOBER 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Phillies play the Cubs looking to break road slide

The Philadelphia Phillies hit the road against the Chicago Cubs looking to stop a six-game road losing streak

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Phillies look to end 5-game road losing streak, play the Cubs

The Philadelphia Phillies will aim to break their five-game road slide in a matchup with the Chicago Cubs

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs face the Pirates leading series 2-1

The Chicago Cubs lead 2-1 in a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates to break slide in game against the Cubs

The Pittsburgh Pirates will try to break their eight-game slide when they take on the Chicago Cubs

SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates aim to stop skid in matchup with the Cubs

The Pittsburgh Pirates will try to stop their seven-game slide when they take on the Chicago Cubs

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates aim to end skid in game against the Cubs

The Pittsburgh Pirates will try to stop a six-game skid when they play the Chicago Cubs

SEPTEMBER 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs visit the Marlins on 3-game road win streak

The Chicago Cubs hit the road against the Miami Marlins trying to continue a three-game road winning streak

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs and Rockies meet to decide series winner

The Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies play on Sunday with the winner claiming the three-game series

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies meet in game 2 of series

The Chicago Cubs face the Colorado Rockies, leading the series 1-0

SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs take on the Rockies in first of 3-game series

The Chicago Cubs host the Colorado Rockies to open a three-game series

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs call up Jared Young, put Rafael Ortega on 60-day IL Cubs notes: Frank Schwindel said he’s “probably” out for the season.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • SUNTIMES.COM

Lands on 60-day IL Ortega (finger) was placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact Ortega was ruled out for the rest of the season after he was diagnosed with a fractured left ring finger Tuesday, so the move to the 60-day IL was only a matter of time. The 31-year-old closes out 2022 with a .241/.331/.358 slash line, seven home runs, 35 RBI, 35 runs and 12 stolen bases in 370 plate appearances.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mets host the Cubs on home losing streak

The New York Mets aim to end their four-game home slide with a win against the Chicago Cubs

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS