RAFAEL ORTEGA NEWS

Takes seat Friday Ortega isn't starting Friday's game against the Pirates.

Impact Ortega went 2-for-7 with a run and two strikeouts in the last two games, but he'll get a day off with southpaw Jose Quintana starting for Pittsburgh. Willson Contreras will serve as the designated hitter while Yan Gomes takes over behind the dish.

APRIL 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Vogelbach's HR rallies Pirates past Cubs 4-3

Daniel Vogelbach hit a two-run homer, Yoshi Tsutsugo had a two-run double and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied past the Chicago Cubs 4-3

APRIL 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sits again Tuesday Ortega remains on the bench for Tuesday's game against the Rays.

Impact Heading into Tuesday's contest, Ortega had been in the lineup against every righty the Cubs had faced while sitting against every lefty. Tuesday's starting nine technically reverses that trend, as righty Matt Wisler will be the first pitcher on the mound for the Rays, but he's merely an opener and is expected to turn the ball over to lefty Josh Fleming early in the contest. Clint Frazier will serve as the designated hitter.

APRIL 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On bench against southpaw Ortega isn't in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.

Impact Left-hander Shane McClanahan is on the mound for Tampa Bay in Monday's series opener, so Ortega will retreat to the bench for a second straight game. Yan Gomes will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth.

APRIL 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Day off Sunday Ortega is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Impact Colorado is starting lefty Austin Gomber, so Ortega gets a day off. The Cubs are starting Michael Hermosillo in center with Clint Frazier as the DH. Ortega should be back in the lineup soon, though he's off to a sluggish start with a .111 batting average through eight games and could lose playing time if he doesn't get going at the plate.

APRIL 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Thursday Ortega isn't starting Thursday's game against Colorado.

Impact Left-hander Kyle Freeland is on the mound for the Rockies in Thursday's series opener, and Ortega will retreat to the bench wince he appears to be in a platoon role to begin the year. Clint Frazier will operate as the designated hitter while Ian Happ starts in left field.

APRIL 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Tuesday's lineup Ortega will sit Tuesday against the Pirates.

Impact Ortega started the first three games of the season, appearing twice as the designated hitter and once in left field. All three of those starts came against righties, so the fact that he'll sit Tuesday against Jose Quintana, the first lefty the Cubs have faced this season, suggests he's likely in a platoon role. Ian Happ will be the left fielder Tuesday, while Clint Frazier serves as the designated hitter.

APRIL 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact Ortega was set for a day off Friday after starting Thursday's season opener, but Friday's game was postponed and now Ortega finds himself back in the lineup. It looks like the 30-year-old will get the chance to set the table when he's in the lineup, though his playing time may fluctuate with manager David Ross looking to mix and match a few different outfield options and also fill the DH slot.

APRIL 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Friday Ortega will sit Friday against the Brewers.

Impact Ortega served as the leadoff man and designated hitter Opening Day, going 0-for-2 with a walk. Both roles will be filled by Clint Frazier on Friday. This seems more like a timeshare than a platoon between the left-handed Ortega and the right-handed Frazier, as Frazier is getting the nod Friday against righty Brandon Woodruff. Ortega's exact role this season may take some time to become clear.

APRIL 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leading off on Opening Day Ortega will lead off and serve as the designated hitter for the Cubs' Opening Day game against the Brewers on Thursday.

Impact Ortega's role seemed murky after the Cubs signed Seiya Suzuki in mid-March, as reports indicated Jason Heyward could spend time in center field. As it turns out, Heyward will indeed start in center, but Ortega has a place nonetheless as the designated hitter. It will take more games to determine exactly how often Ortega will play this season, but the fact that he's serving as the leadoff man seemingly indicates that the Cubs view him as an important piece.

APRIL 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Assessing the Chicago Cubs' outfield logjam: How do Michael Hermosillo, Clint Frazier and Rafael Ortega fit? The Chicago Cubs' outfield logjam creates questions about who they will put on the opening-day roster.

MARCH 27, 2022 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Japanese OF Suzuki finalizes 5-year deal with new-look Cubs

Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki is joining the new-look Chicago Cubs, finalizing an $85 million, five-year deal

MARCH 18, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Could be squeezed for playing time With the Cubs agreeing to a deal with Seiya Suzuki on Wednesday, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Ortega figures to see added competition for outfield playing time.

Impact Suzuki is expected to see most of his time in right field, which would push Jason Heyward to a bench role. Heyward has played center before in his career and could push Ortega, though the latter was better offensively in 2021 (.823 OPS compared to .627 for Heyward) and should have the advantage heading into the season. Ian Happ (elbow) could also see time in center as well as in left once he's healthy. At the very least, Ortega will want to get off to a strong start if he wants to make sure he keeps his playing time after a mini-breakout last year.

MARCH 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

AP source: Cubs, Seiya Suzuki agree to $85M, 5-year deal

A person familiar with the situation says the Chicago Cubs and star Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki have agreed to an $85-million, five-year deal

MARCH 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gets breather Saturday Ortega isn't starting Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact Ortega recorded multi-hit performances in four of the last five games and went 9-for-18 with a home run, a double, five runs, three stolen bases and seven walks during that time. Johneshwy Fargas will take over in center field and bat eighth.

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cranks leadoff homer Ortega went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two runs scored and a walk Thursday against the Pirates.

Impact Ortega took the first pitch of the game out of the park to record his 11th homer of the season. It was his first long ball since Sep. 7, and only his fifth extra-base hit in an 18-game span since. For the season, Ortega is hitting .289/.358/.467 across 320 plate appearances.

OCTOBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Steele cruises, Cubs send Pirates to 100th loss in 9-0 rout

Justin Steele breezed through seven shutout innings and the Chicago Cubs scored six runs in the second inning Thursday night, beating Pittsburgh 9-0 and sending the Pirates to thei...

OCTOBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Contreras 3 RBIs, Cubs beat Pirates, end 7-game losing skid

Willson Contreras drove in all of the Cubs’ run as Chicago beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 to end a seven-game losing streak

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reaches three times Tuesday Ortega went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks and two runs scored in Tuesday's loss to the Pirates.

Impact Ortega was an effective tablesetter and continued a strong run at the plate lately. Over his last 10 games, the outfielder is batting .294 with seven walks and five runs scored. The 30-year-old has been locked in all season at the plate with a .283 average, which is quite the jump from the .205 mark he posted last year in 34 games with Atlanta. Ortega still probably profiles as more of a fourth outfielder, though he has looked impressive in a regular role.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Umpire provides explanation for wild play in Cardinals-Cubs

Umpire Bill Miller has provided an explanation for a wild sequence during St. Louis’ 4-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs that added another layer of drama to the Cardinals’ 16th stra...

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cardinals set team record with 15th straight win, beat Cubs

The St. Louis Cardinals set a franchise record with their 15th straight win, boosted when catcher Yadier Molina and center fielder Harrison Bader helped pull off a wild double play...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not in Saturday's lineup Ortega is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against St. Louis.

Impact Ortega's off day against lefty Jon Lester means he's now started against just one of the last seven southpaws the Cubs have faced. Trayce Thompson will take over in center field.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Friday afternoon Ortega is on the bench for Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Impact A 1-for-4 effort Wednesday has Ortega hitting .263 with two extra-base hits and one RBI in his last 10 games. Trace Thompson starts in center field for the afternoon contest, with Ian Happ sliding to right and Patrick Wisdom playing left.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Well-rounded box-score line in loss Ortega went 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs and a stolen base Tuesday in the Cubs' 9-5 loss to the Twins. He also reached base on a hit by pitch.

Impact Though Ortega's standing as a regular in the Chicago outfield isn't in any jeopardy, the 30-year-old has limped to the finish line in what's otherwise been a breakthrough campaign. Before Tuesday's eruption, Ortega hit .179 over his last 10 games, scoring only three times while contributing no home runs or stolen bases over that span. He'll look to build on his strong game in Wednesday's series finale, starting in center field while batting leadoff.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gordon homers, 4 Twins get 3 hits, Minnesota tops Cubs 9-5

Nick Gordon hit a two-run homer and two singles, Josh Donaldson and Max Kepler each had three hits and two RBIs, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago Cubs 9-5

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS