LUIS L. ORTIZ NEWS

Throws five innings in relief Ortiz allowed two runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out one over five innings in Wednesday's 9-5 loss to Oakland.

Impact Ortiz pitched two innings in a rain-shortened outing Sunday, leaving him available to eat up innings after starter Roansy Contreras lasted just one-third of an inning. Despite allowing 10 hits, Ortiz was able to limit the damage against Oakland thanks to a couple of key double-play balls. The 24-year-old right-hander is 1-2 this season with a 4.23 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 16:15 K:BB. Ortiz was originally slated to start this weekend, though that will likely be pushed back after he threw 91 pitches Wednesday.

JUNE 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Early exit after rain delay Ortiz didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Cardinals, giving up one run on one hit and two walks over two innings. He struck out one.

Impact An hour-long rain delay in the third inning caused Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton to turn to his bullpen rather than risk injury to the 24-year-old right-hander. Even in his brief outing, Ortiz displayed his usual inefficiency while teasing his upside -- he needed 32 pitches to record six outs, but generated 10 called or swinging strikes along the way. If he stays on turn, Ortiz should be well-rested for his next start, which lines up to come at home next weekend against the Mets.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fans six in no-decision Ortiz allowed three runs on five hits and four walks over five innings in Sunday's loss to Seattle. He struck out six and did not factor in the decision.

Impact Ortiz was tagged with a pair of solo homers, including Julio Rodriguez's first-inning shot. Despite a shaky outing overall, Ortiz punched out a season-high six batters, though he needed 99 pitches to get through five frames. The right-handed rookie is now sporting a 4.35 ERA and a lackluster 14:11 K:BB through 20.2 innings. Ortiz's next start is currently lined up to be against the Cardinals.

MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as Sunday's starter Ortiz is expected to start Sunday's game against Mariners, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Impact As delos Santos notes, Roansy Contreras had previously been scheduled to pitch Saturday. However, Vince Velasquez (elbow) was deemed ready to return and Ortiz is apparently getting another chance Sunday, which leaves Contreras' next start TBD. Perhaps the Pirates will go with six arms a turn or two through the rotation. Ortiz had some bumps in the road early but bounced back this week with 7.2 innings of two-run ball against the Rangers.

MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Quality start in win Ortiz (1-2) earned the win Monday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over 7.2 innings against the Rangers. He struck out four.

Impact Ortiz has drawn three straight starts with Vince Velasquez (elbow) on the injured list, but Monday's outing was by far the former's best outing of the season. The young right-hander completed a career-high 7.2 innings, struck out a season-high four and submitted his first quality start of the year. Velasquez may need at least one more rehab start before he's recalled to the big-league roster, so Ortiz should get one more turn in the rotation.

MAY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ron Cook: Future is bright for Pirates young pitchers after Ortiz performance It counted as just one win for the Pirates Monday night, but it seemed a lot bigger. Part of it was that it came against the NL West leading...

MAY 23, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Early exit in loss Ortiz (0-2) took the loss Tuesday, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and four walks over three innings in a 4-0 loss against Detroit. He struck out three.

Impact The Tigers got to Ortiz early Tuesday, scoring twice in the first inning before adding another two runs in the third. Ultimately, it would take Ortiz 81 pitches to get through just three innings. The 24-year-old right-hander has now dropped his first two starts of the season, allowing nine runs, though only five earned, through eight innings with a 2.38 WHIP. Ortiz may get one more shot with the Pirates before Vince Velasquez (elbow) returns from the IL.

MAY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Stays in rotation Ortiz is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

Impact After getting a call-up from Triple-A Indianapolis on May 9, Ortiz stumbled in his first start of the season with the big club, giving up five runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk over five innings en route to taking a home loss against the Rockies. The 24-year-old right-hander was more impressive over a four-start sample with the Bucs in 2022 and had pitched to a 2.23 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 32.1 innings at Triple-A prior to his call-up, however, so he'll get at least one more chance to redeem himself. Ortiz's performance Tuesday as well as the status of Vince Velasquez (elbow) heading into next week will likely dictate whether Ortiz garners any additional starts with Pittsburgh.

MAY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Drops season debut Ortiz (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, allowing five runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk over five innings against the Rockies. He struck out one.

Impact Ortiz allowed just one run through his first three innings but ran into trouble in the fourth, allowing a pair of singles to lead off the frame before Tucupita Marcano missed a potential double-play ball, allowing the Rockies to take a 2-1 lead. Ortiz surrendered another three runs in the frame en route to an eventual 10-1 loss. The 24-year-old right-hander could make at least one more start while Vince Velasquez (elbow) is on the IL. Ortiz had been pitching well in Triple-A with a 2.23 ERA and 29:11 K:BB through seven starts (32.1 innings).

MAY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Called up for Tuesday start The Pirates recalled Ortiz from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Ortiz will start for Pittsburgh on Tuesday night against the visiting Rockies and might get an extended run in the rotation if things go well. The 24-year-old had registered a promising 2.23 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 29:11 K:BB through 32.1 innings (seven starts) this season at the Triple-A level.

MAY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sources: Pirates to recall Luis Ortiz for Tuesday's start against Rockies Sources told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Monday that the Pirates will recall Luis Ortiz, having the right-hander start on Tuesday.

MAY 8, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Set to start Tuesday Ortiz has joined the Pirates in Pittsburgh and is expected to start Tuesday against the Rockies, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Ortiz, 24, flashed promise in the majors last season and so far in seven starts with Triple-A Indianapolis this year holds a 2.23 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 29:11 K:BB over 32.1 innings. Control can be a problem, but Ortiz can miss bats and induce groundballs. It's not clear whether this is just a spot start or if he could stick around a while, but Ortiz is a viable streaming option in a favorable matchup versus Colorado.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ortiz Unsung Hero In Phillies' Victory Luis Ortiz has had a stellar season, all while flying under the radar.

APRIL 27, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Optioned to Triple-A level Ortiz was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis by the Pirates on Tuesday.

Impact Ortiz gave up seven earned runs on 12 hits and three walks over six innings this spring in the Grapefruit League, and he also spent some time away from Pirates camp while representing the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. The 24-year-old should get an extended look in Pittsburgh at some point in the first half of the 2023 season.

MARCH 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles minor league P Luis Ortiz dies of cancer at 20 Baltimore Orioles minor league pitcher Luis Ortiz died Saturday from cancer at the age of 20.

MARCH 12, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Added to DR roster for WBC Ortiz was added Thursday to the Dominican Republic's roster for the World Baseball Classic.

Impact He's replacing Pirates teammate Jarlin Garcia, who is out indefinitely with a left arm injury. Ortiz is probably going to be ticketed for Triple-A Indianapolis once the WBC is over and camp breaks, but the 24-year-old right-hander seems certain to take on a sizable role in Pittsburgh at some point in 2023.

MARCH 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads back to minors The Pirates optioned Ortiz to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Impact Since Ortiz wasn't scheduled to pitch again in 2022 after making a start Saturday in St. Louis, the Pirates chose to option him to open up room on the 28-man active roster for a player who can contribute over their final three games. Though he failed to escape the first inning against the Cardinals while serving up six earned runs, Ortiz still delivered a solid 4.50 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 17:10 K:BB in 16 innings over his first four big-league starts. He should get the chance to compete for a spot in the Bucs' Opening Day rotation next spring.

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Knocked around in loss Ortiz (0-2) took the loss to the Cardinals on Saturday, allowing six runs on three hits while striking out none and walking three over two-thirds of an inning.

Impact It was an extremely rough outing for Ortiz, who allowed a two-run single from Albert Pujols and a grand slam from Corey Dickerson before being pulled. This was the fourth appearance of the year for Ortiz, who had pitched well in his prior outings. In his three previous appearances, he allowed two runs in 15.1 innings for a 1.17 ERA. It now sits at 4.50 after Saturday's clunker.

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Seven strikeouts in loss Ortiz (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Cubs, allowing a run on one hit and two walks while striking out seven in 4.2 innings.

Impact It was a bit of a tough-luck loss for Ortiz on Sunday as he left the scoreless game with two outs and one on in the fifth and reliever Manny Banuelos gave up a homer, crediting Ortiz with an earned run. He fanned six of the first 10 batters he faced and did not give up another hit after allowing the first batter of the game to single. The 23-year-old has allowed only five hits in 15.1 innings across his first three big-league starts, compiling a 1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB in that span. His next and possibly final start of the season will likely come next weekend in St. Louis.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nearly immaculate Ortiz eyeing spot in Bucs' rotation PITTSBURGH -- A year ago, Luis Ortiz was pitching for Single-A Bradenton. A month ago, he was pitching for Double-A Altoona. Two weeks ago,...

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • MLB.COM

Awarded another start Ortiz is slated to start Sunday against the Cubs at PNC Park.

Impact After holding the Yankees to two runs (one earned) while striking out five in five innings Tuesday following his promotion from Triple-A Indianapolis, Ortiz will be rewarded with a second straight turn through the rotation. The rookie now owns an 0.84 ERA and 0.84 WHIP through his first two big-league outings and will look to parlay a strong finish to the 2022 season into a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day rotation in 2023.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Five innings in no-decision Ortiz did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks over five innings against the Yankees. He struck out five.

Impact Ortiz held the Yankees scoreless through four innings, but an error and a couple of hits in the bottom of the fifth cost Ortiz both an earned run and an unearned run. Even so, he was in line for the victory before the bullpen blew the game. The flamethrowing rookie has looked good for the Pirates so far, allowing just one earned run in 10.2 innings of work with 10 punchouts. He will likely face the Cubs this weekend if he sticks around in the rotation.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rejoins Bucs The Pirates recalled Ortiz from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

Impact Pittsburgh returned Ortiz to Triple-A on Wednesday after he served as the 29th man for a doubleheader with the Reds the day prior, but he'll be able to rejoin the big club less than a week after being optioned due to JT Brubaker (arm) landing on the injured list Sunday in a corresponding move. Ortiz will presumably be the top candidate to step into the rotation Tuesday against the Yankees in place of Brubaker after an impressive showing in his MLB debut last week. The hard-throwing right-hander topped 100 miles per hour on six occasions in his start versus the Reds, tossing 5.2 scoreless frames while striking out six.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Heads back to minors Ortiz was returned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Chris Halicke of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Impact Ortiz served as the 29th man during Tuesday's doubleheader against the Reds and allowed a hit and three walks while striking out five in 5.2 scoreless innings during his start in the nightcap. In spite of his encouraging performance, he'll head back to the minors for now. If the Pirates need an extra starter at some point over the final few weeks of the regular season, Ortiz will likely be one of the top names in consideration to fill in.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Blanks Cincy in spot start Ortiz didn't factor into the decision in a 1-0 win over the Reds during the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader, allowing only one hit and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck...

Impact The 23-year-old was extremely impressive in his big-league debut, tossing 56 of 83 pitches for strikes and exiting one out short of a quality start. Ortiz has the stuff to back up that performance -- he reached 100 mph with his fastball six times in the game while mixing in a slider and changeup, and his final fastball of the night popped 99.9 mph. After posting a 138:38 K:BB through 124.1 innings in the high minors this season, the breakout prospect appears on track to claim a spot in the Pirates' 2023 rotation, if not for the final weeks of 2022.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE