RAFAEL ORTEGA NEWS

Out against lefty once again Ortega is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Impact The lefty-hitting Ortega will end up sitting for each of the final three games of the series in Los Angeles with the Dodgers bringing a left-hander to the hill on each occasion. Christopher Morel will replace Ortega in center field and as the Cubs' leadoff man Sunday.

JULY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Riding pine Friday Ortega isn't starting Friday against the Dodgers.

Impact Ortega has started mainly against right-handed pitchers this season, and he'll take a seat with southpaw Tyler Anderson on the mound for the Dodgers. Nelson Velazquez is starting in center field and batting eighth.

JULY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs rally against Brewers' bullpen, win 2-1 at Milwaukee

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JULY 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Suzuki homers again, Hendricks hurt as Cubs top Brewers 8-3

Seiya Suzuki homered for the second straight night as the Chicago Cubs overcame Kyle Hendricks’ early exit and defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 8-3

JULY 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

On base thrice, swipes bag Ortega went 2-for-3 with a triple, walk, run, two RBI and a stolen base in an 8-3 win against the Brewers on Tuesday.

Impact Ortega singled in the first inning, walked in the third and tripled home two runs and stole home in the sixth. The 31-year-old broke out of a slump with the excellent performance -- he was 2-for-14 over his last six games -- and has now logged a steal in consecutive games.

JULY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Held out Monday Ortega is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers.

Impact Ortega started seven of the Cubs' last eight games, but he went just 4-for-23 (.174) over that span, so he will open Monday's game on the bench. Christopher Morel will be back atop the order for the North Siders.

JULY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches twice in loss Ortega went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double and a run scored in Sunday's extra-innings loss to the Red Sox.

Impact Ortega snapped a four-game hitless streak and gave the Cubs a boost from the leadoff spot, though the team struggled offensively as a whole in the 4-2 loss. The outfielder still sits against most lefties, but he does have some fantasy value against righties, especially when he's atop the order. Ortega has an .843 OPS versus righties since 2020, while his OPS against southpaws is just .455.

JULY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Morel homers in 3rd straight game, Cubs beat Red Sox 6-5

Rookie Christopher Morel homered in his third consecutive game, and the Chicago Cubs rallied to beat the Boston Red Sox 6-5

JULY 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Red Sox's Hill leaves start against Cubs with sprained knee

Boston Red Sox pitcher Rich Hill left Thursday’s start against the Chicago Cubs because of a sprained left knee

JULY 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting Friday Ortega is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Red Sox.

Impact Ortega will get a breather Friday after going 3-for-17 with a homer, seven RBI, two runs and a stolen base over the last five games. Yan Gomes will draw the start at designated hitter and bat sixth against Boston.

JULY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

As Rafael Ortega's hitting heats up with more playing time, the outfielder's Chicago Cubs future remains uncertain Chicago Cubs outfielder Rafael Ortega is making the most of increased playing time. But will he still be on the roster after the trade deadl...

JUNE 28, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Cubs overcome 5-run deficit to beat Cards 6-5, Flaherty hurt

Willson Contreras hit a tiebreaking single in the 10th inning to drive in his third run of the game, and the Chicago Cubs overcame a five-run deficit to be the St. Louis Cardinals...

JUNE 26, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Swats fourth homer Ortega went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 5-3 loss to the Cardinals on Saturday.

Impact Ortega went deep off Giovanny Gallegos to tie the game at 3-3 in the top of the eighth. The 31-year-old veteran has posted a solid .327/.397/.500 over the month of June and should continue to see at-bats in the top half of the Cubs lineup as Frank Schwindel (lower back) and Seiya Suzuki (finger) miss time due to injury.

JUNE 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Herrera's 8th inning sac fly helps Cardinals beat Cubs 5-3

Iván Herrera hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning for his first career RBI and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 5-3

JUNE 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gets breather Friday Ortega isn't starting Friday against the Cardinals.

Impact Although right-hander Andre Pallante is starting for the Cardinals on Friday, Ortega will be held out of the lineup for a second consecutive game. Willson Contreras is serving as the designated hitter while Yan Gomes starts at catcher.

JUNE 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat versus lefty Ortega is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Impact The lefty-hitting Ortega will head to the bench with a southpaw (Jose Quintana) on the mound for Pittsburgh in the series finale. Ortega, who went 3-for-5 with a double, a walk, two runs and two RBI in Wednesday's 14-5 win, should continue to hold down a semi-regular role in the lineup against right-handed pitching until Seiya Suzuki (finger) is ready to return from the injured list.

JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Powers offense from leadoff spot Ortega went 3-for-5 with a walk, a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Pirates.

Impact The Cubs rolled 14-5, and Ortega played a key role from the leadoff spot. The outfielder is now batting .270 this season and he's been propelled by a strong month of June. Across 16 games, he's batting .333 with a home run, four RBI and five runs scored. Ortega will still generally sit against southpaws, though he's looking like a solid fantasy option against righties.

JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rivas slam, Happ and Wisdom homer, Cubs rout Pirates 14-5

Ian Happ and Patrick Wisdom hit two-run homers early and Alfonso Rivas added a grand slam off a position player late as the Chicago Cubs routed the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-5

JUNE 23, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Picks up second straight start Ortega will start in left field and bat fifth in Tuesday's game against the Pirates.

Impact Ortega will earn a second start in a row after he was one of the Cubs' few bright spots in a 12-1 loss in the series opener Monday, when he went 2-for-4 with a walk. Though he's the Cubs' nominal top option at designated hitter, Ortega may fade into a reserve role as soon as Chicago gets Seiya Suzuki (finger) back from the injured list.

JUNE 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Newly promoted Cruz, Madris spark Pirates, rout Cubs 12-1

Newly promoted Oneil Cruz drove in four runs and Bligh Madris got three hits in his major league debut, sparking the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 12-1 romp over the Chicago Cubs

JUNE 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs' Contreras gets 3 hits and steal, beats brother, Braves

Willson Contreras had three hits and stole a base in his first game against younger brother William, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the Atlanta Braves 6-3

JUNE 18, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starting Saturday Ortega is serving as the designated hitter and batting third in Saturday's game against Atlanta.

Impact Ortega got Friday off but will get the chance to face Atlanta righty Kyle Wright on Saturday. Over the last three seasons, the 31-year-old has an .831 OPS against righties compared to just a .475 mark versus southpaws, and he's mostly served in a platoon role this year for the Cubs.

JUNE 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Riding pine Friday Ortega isn't starting Friday's game against Atlanta.

Impact Although right-hander Charlie Morton is on the mound for Atlanta on Friday, Ortega will get a breather after he went 0-for-5 with a walk and two strikeouts over the last two games. Willson Contreras is serving as the designated hitter while Yan Gomes starts behind the dish.

JUNE 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sits against lefty again Ortega is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Impact The lefty-hitting Ortega will take a seat with southpaw Ryan Weathers on the hill for San Diego, allowing Yan Gomes to pick up a start while No. 1 catcher Willson Contreras handles designated-hitter duties. Ortega still should play semi-regularly against right-handed pitching, but he could move into a full-time reserve role once Seiya Suzuki (finger) returns from the injured list.

JUNE 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On bench again Tuesday Ortega remains on the bench Tuesday against the Padres.

Impact Ortega finds himself on the bench for the third time in four days, though this absence is more of an expected one, as the Padres will start southpaw Sean Manaea. Yan Gomes will serve as the designated hitter.

JUNE 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE