RAFAEL ORTEGA NEWS

NRI deal with Mets The Mets signed Ortega to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Impact Ortega received 17 plate appearances with the White Sox in 2024 but spent most of his time at Triple-A Charlotte, where he put up a .912 OPS with 11 homers and 17 steals. The 33-year-old appeared in 47 games for the Mets in 2023, collecting a .613 OPS. Ortega will compete for a reserve outfielder job in spring training but will likely begin 2025 at Triple-A Syracuse.

NOVEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

White Sox acquire outfielder Corey Julks from Astros, recall outfielder Dominic Fletcher

The Chicago White Sox acquired outfielder Corey Julks from the Houston Astros on Wednesday in a trade for minor-league right-hander Luis Rodriguez, then optioned Julks to Triple-A...

MAY 15 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hits open market Ortega elected to become a free agent Tuesday.

Impact Ortega cleared waivers after being pushed off the Mets' 40-man roster last week. The 32-year-old outfielder drew regular playing time down the stretch this season in Queens but finished with an ugly .219 batting average and .613 OPS across 136 total plate appearances.

OCTOBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Removed from 40-man The Mets placed Ortega on outright waivers Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Impact Ortega became an everyday part of the Mets' outfield in the second half of the season, but he'll now be booted from the active roster after slashing .219/.341/.272 across 136 plate appearances. The 32-year-old Ortega will likely elect free agency if he goes unclaimed off waivers.

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Added to lineup Wednesday Ortega was added to the lineup for Wednesday's game at Miami.

Impact Ortega will start in left field and bat sixth versus the Marlins and right-hander Eury Perez after DJ Stewart (wrist) had to be scratched just before first pitch.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Loses hold of regular role Ortega is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.

Impact Ortega appears to have lost of his regular spot in the lineup against right-handed pitching in the wake of the Mets promoting top prospect Ronny Mauricio from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday. With Mauricio picking up his third straight start at second base Sunday, Jeff McNeil will make his third consecutive start in the outfield, leaving no room in the lineup for Ortega. Since being promoted from Syracuse himself Aug. 1, Ortega has slashed .238/.337/.300 in 92 plate appearances with the Mets.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench against lefty Ortega is out of the lineup Tuesday versus the Rangers.

Impact Ortega has put together a three-game hitting streak, but the 32-year-old left-handed hitter will take a seat Tuesday with southpaw Andrew Heaney toeing the slab for Texas. Tim Locastro is covering left field and batting ninth for the Mets.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rafael Ortega drives in winning run as Mets clip Angels Rafael Ortega collected the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday afternoon as the New York Mets edged the visiti...

AUGUST 27, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Not starting Friday Ortega isn't in the Mets' lineup Friday against the Angels.

Impact Ortega will get a breather as the Halos send left-hander Patrick Sandoval out to the mound to start Friday's contest. Ortega's absence will allow Tim Locastro to start in left field and bat ninth.

AUGUST 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pops first homer Ortega went 1-for-3 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Monday's win over Atlanta.

Impact The journeyman outfielder took Allan Winans deep in the second inning for his first homer of 2023. Ortega has started 14 of the last 16 games, mostly in center field, and he's earned that playing time with a .280/.345/.360 slash line, three steals, five RBI and nine runs. The 32-year-old isn't part of the Mets' future, but he seems poised to be a big part of the team's patchwork lineup for the rest of the season.

AUGUST 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against lefty Ortega is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Pirates.

Impact Tim Locastro will start in center field and bat ninth as the Mets take on left-hander Bailey Falter. The left-handed-hitting Ortega went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's series-opening victory over Pittsburgh.

AUGUST 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Knocks three hits Ortega went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's win over Atlanta.

Impact Ortega scored the Mets' first run of the game in the third inning and later ripped a two-run single in the fifth. It was his second multi-hit game of the year and first three-hit performance. In 12 games since being promoted to the MLB level, he's slashing .243/.317/.270 with four runs scored and one extra-base hit.

AUGUST 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rafael Ortega keys a big 6th inning for the Mets, who beat the Braves to avoid last place

Rafael Ortega had two hits during a six-run fifth inning, leading the New York Mets to a 7-6 win over the majors-best Atlanta Braves

AUGUST 14, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting Game 2 Saturday Ortega is not in the starting lineup for Game 2 on Saturday versus Atlanta, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Impact Ortega will take a seat after he went 1-for-7 with two walks, a strikeout and a stolen base over the first two games of the series. Brandon Nimmo will slide over to left field while Tim Locastro enters the lineup in center field and bats ninth against Atlanta.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Seeing steady playing time Ortega will start in left field and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Cubs.

Impact Ortega has recorded just two hits in 15 at-bats since he was called up from Triple-A Syracuse last Tuesday, but he's picked up starts in the outfield in six of the Mets' ensuing seven games. With Tommy Pham now in Arizona and with Starling Marte (groin) landing on the injured list Monday, Ortega looks like he'll have a fairly clear path to steady playing time despite having yet to offer much production at the dish.

AUGUST 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Contract selected Tuesday The Mets selected Ortega's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Impact Ortega joined New York on a minor-league deal in mid-June and will join the big club Tuesday to help fill out the roster after the Mets shipped off numerous players at the trade deadline. The 32-year-old had a .689 OPS with the Cubs last season and had a .230/.379/.398 slash line in 30 games for Syracuse.

AUGUST 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rafael Ortega launches walk-off home run as Syracuse beats Buffalo, 8-6, on Thursday night Syracuse will look to even the series with Buffalo on Friday night.

JULY 21, 2023 • SYRACUSE.COM

Gets minors deal from Mets Ortega signed a minor-league contract with the Mets on Friday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

Impact Ortega was released by the Rangers earlier this month after batting .226/.333/.381 with five home runs and eight stolen bases across 199 plate appearances. He's capable of playing all three outfield spots and will give the Mets some veteran depth at Triple-A Syracuse.

JUNE 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Released from minors deal Ortega was released by the Rangers on Wednesday, Steve Adams of MLBTradeRumors.com reports.

Impact It's not clear whether Ortega asked for his release or the team just decided to cut him loose. The veteran outfielder batted .226/.333/.381 with five home runs and eight stolen bases over 44 games with Triple-A Round Rock.

JUNE 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Joins Rangers Ortega signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers on Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Impact Ortega was released from his contract with the Yankees after failing to make the big-league team this spring. He'll now have the chance to earn a more substantial role with Texas, which has a need in center field so long as Leody Taveras (oblique) is sidelined.

MARCH 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yankees Release Outfielder Rafael Ortega The Yankees have released outfielder Rafael Ortega.

MARCH 29, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Yankees Release Outfielder Rafael Ortega The Yankees have released outfielder Rafael Ortega.

MARCH 29, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Granted release by Yankees Ortega was released by the Yankees on Tuesday, Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors reports.

Impact The Yanks haven't publicly revealed Ortega's status yet, but Adams hears that he was told he would not make the roster and, as a result, requested and was granted his release. Presumably, that means Estevan Florial has officially made the team. Ortega will now look to catch on elsewhere.

MARCH 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Yankees' Rafael Ortega makes late roster push in Florida spring finale The Yankees and Rays played a spring training game in Tampa on Monday.

MARCH 27, 2023 • NJ.COM

Yankees' Estevan Florial vs. Rafael Ortega for 1 outfield spot? It's a mismatch so far The New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins play a spring training game on Monday at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla.

MARCH 13, 2023 • NJ.COM