Rafael Ortega
YEARTEAMGABRHitsRBIDTHRBBSOSBCSEAVGOBPSLUG
2022Manatees10138462109502228337817010.2840.3480.414
2023Manatees227851883035162000.2310.2770.385
MLB Player Data
DateNewsComment
May 17 2024Ortega cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Charlotte, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega held the right to decline his outright assignment and elect free agency, but he will instead remain within the White Sox organization and look to turn things around in the minors. The 33-year-old went 1-for-14 during his stint with the Sox, but he has slashed .241/.378/.431 with 14 RBI through 75 plate appearances with Charlotte.
May 15 2024The White Sox designated Ortega for assignment Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran outfielder went 1-for-14 at the plate during his time with the White Sox. Ortega will likely clear waivers and could report to Triple-A Charlotte, but he has enough tenure to decline a potential outright assignment and elect free agency if he prefers.
Apr 26 2024The White Sox selected Ortega's contract from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega was slashing .241/.378/.431 with three home runs and six stolen bases for Charlotte. Given Chicago's dearth of quality options, the 32-year-old could see semi-regular reps in the outfield.
Oct 24 2023Ortega elected to become a free agent Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Oct 20 2023The Mets placed Ortega on outright waivers Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Sep 20 2023Ortega was added to the lineup for Wednesday's game at Miami. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Sep 3 2023Ortega is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Aug 29 2023Ortega is out of the lineup Tuesday versus the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Aug 25 2023Ortega isn't in the Mets' lineup Friday against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Aug 22 2023Ortega went 1-for-3 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Monday's win over Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Aug 15 2023Ortega is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Aug 13 2023Ortega went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's win over Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Aug 12 2023Ortega is not in the starting lineup for Game 2 on Saturday versus Atlanta, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Aug 7 2023Ortega will start in left field and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Cubs. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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 and Mark Canha getting moved at the trade deadline 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.
Aug 1 2023The Mets selected Ortega's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Mar 30 2023Ortega signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers on Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Mar 10 2023Ortega 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. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jan 3 2023Ortega signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Tuesday, Empire Sports Media reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Nov 18 2022The Cubs declined to tender Ortega a contract for 2023, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Sep 14 2022Ortega (finger) was placed on the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Sep 13 2022Ortega suffered a fractured left ring finger during Tuesday's win over the Mets and will miss the rest of the season, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 31-year-old singled in his lone plate appearance Tuesday before he suffered the injury on a bunt attempt. Ortega will miss the final few weeks of the season and will finish the campaign with a .241/.331/.358 slash line, seven home runs, 35 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 118 games.
Sep 12 2022Ortega went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two total RBI and two runs scored in Monday's win over the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega was replaced by pinch-hitter Michael Hermosillo in the ninth inning, but the former had already done his damage. His seventh home run of the season made it 1-0 in the second inning, and the outfielder added an RBI single in the fourth. Ortega still routinely sits against southpaws, though he's capable of big stat lines when he plays against righties.
Sep 11 2022Ortega went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base during Sunday's 4-2 loss to San Francisco. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega singled and stole second in the third inning and singled home a run in the fifth before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh. The two-hit game is the 31-year-old's second of September while the theft was his first since recording two Aug. 29. Ortega is slashing .234/.326/.356 with six home runs, 33 runs, 33 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 116 games.
Sep 9 2022Ortega isn't starting Friday against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega is on the bench for a third consecutive game since left-hander Carlos Rodon is on the mound for San Francisco. Christopher Morel will start in center field and bat ninth.
Sep 8 2022Ortega isn't starting Thursday against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Although right-hander Luis Cessa is starting for the Reds on Thursday, Ortega will head to the bench for a second consecutive game. Nelson Velazquez is starting in center field and batting eighth.
Sep 7 2022Ortega isn't starting Wednesday against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega started the last three games and went 2-for-8 with three RBI, a run, two walks and two strikeouts, but he'll get a breather with left-hander Mike Minor on the mound for the Reds. Nelson Velazquez is taking over in center field and batting sixth.
Sep 2 2022Ortega is not in the lineup for Friday's game in St. Louis. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega currently boasts a .671 OPS in 2022, which drops to .496 against lefties, so seeing him on the bench against lefty Jordan Montgomery isn't much of a surprise. Nelson Velazquez will take over for Ortega in center field.
Aug 29 2022Ortega went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in Monday's 11-inning loss to the Blue Jays. He also stole two bases. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega made his presence known each time he reached base, as he recorded his 10th and 11th steals of the season in 18 attempts. The outfielder tallied a career-high 12 stolen bases during a solid 2021 campaign in which he also recorded a career-best 11 home runs to go with an .823 OPS. His power is down a bit this year with just six long balls so far and a .672 OPS, though at least Ortega is still running plenty when he gets on.
Aug 24 2022Ortega went 2-for-3 in Wednesday's 7-1 victory over the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega recorded two hits Wednesday, his first multi-hit game since Aug. 4. After slashing .291/.360/.463 in 2021, Ortega has failed to find his groove, as he is now slashing .233/.326/.353 on the campaign. His poorer performance this season has cost him at bats versus left-handed pitching as well as his spot atop the Cubs' lineup. He will be tough to roster in most formats moving forward.
Aug 15 2022Ortega isn't starting Monday's game against Washington. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Although right-hander Josiah Gray is starting for the Nationals on Monday, Ortega will retreat to the bench for the third time in the last four games. Christopher Morel is taking over in center field while Zach McKinstry starts at third base.
Aug 13 2022Ortega isn't starting Saturday's game against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Although right-hander Graham Ashcraft is on the mound Saturday, Ortega will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game. Nelson Velazquez is starting in center field and batting eighth.
Aug 11 2022Ortega is out of the lineup for Thursday's Field of Dreams Game versus the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega went 1-for-12 with two RBI, a run and a stolen base while starting the past three games, and he'll take a seat Thursday with southpaw Nick Lodolo pitching for Cincinnati. Christopher Morel will shift to center field and bat ninth.
Aug 7 2022Ortega is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega is 5-for-15 with a double, two walks and a run through four games in August and will take a seat for the series finale. He started the past two games in center field, but Nelson Velazquez will receive the nod Sunday.
Aug 4 2022Ortega isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega went 3-for-5 with a double during the first game of Thursday's doubleheader but will head to the bench since left-hander Jose Quintana is on the mound for the nightcap. Willson Contreras is serving as the designated hitter while P.J. Higgins starts behind the plate.
Jul 31 2022Ortega is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at San Francisco. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lefty Carlos Rodon is pitching for the Giants, so Ortega will hit the bench for the second straight game. Nelson Velazquez will start in center field for Chicago.
Jul 28 2022Ortega isn't starting Thursday against the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Left-hander Alex Wood is starting for the Giants on Thursday, so Ortega is getting a day off after he went 3-for-8 with a solo home run and a stolen base over the last two games. Nelson Velazquez will start in center field and bat ninth.
Jul 27 2022Ortega went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 31-year-old has three hits in the last two games, including a solo homer Monday, as he shows small signs of emerging from a deep slump. Ortega has only eight hits in total in July, slashing .154/.262/.269 through 19 games on the month, and what little fantasy value he's supplied has come from his legs as he's stolen three of his eight bags on the year.
Jul 25 2022Ortega went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 3-2 win over the Pirates. He was also caught stealing. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega led off in this one and managed his fifth home run of the season in the third inning. The left-handed hitting outfielder is still sitting regularly against southpaws, with the likes of Christopher Morel and Nelson Velazquez gobbling up more starts on those occasions. Ortega can still deliver some fantasy value versus righties, however, as he has an .802 OPS against them since 2020.
Jul 24 2022Ortega will sit Sunday against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega will get a day off as the Cubs take on left-hander Bailey Falter and the Phillies. Christopher Morel will slide into center field while David Bote takes over at second base and bats eighth versus Philadelphia.
Jul 17 2022Ortega will sit Sunday versus the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega will take a seat as the Cubs take on left-hander David Peterson and the Mets on Sunday. Christopher Morel will slide over to center field while Davide Bote takes over at second base and will bat eighth in the final game before the All-Star break.
Jul 10 2022Ortega is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jul 8 2022Ortega isn't starting Friday against the Dodgers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jul 5 2022Ortega 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. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jul 4 2022Ortega is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jul 3 2022Ortega went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double and a run scored in Sunday's extra-innings loss to the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jul 1 2022Ortega is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jun 26 2022Ortega went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 5-3 loss to the Cardinals on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jun 24 2022Ortega isn't starting Friday against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jun 23 2022Ortega is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jun 22 2022Ortega went 3-for-5 with a walk, a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jun 21 2022Ortega will start in left field and bat fifth in Tuesday's game against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jun 18 2022Ortega is serving as the designated hitter and batting third in Saturday's game against Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jun 17 2022Ortega isn't starting Friday's game against Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Although right-hander Charlie Morton is on the mound for Atlanta on Friday, Ortega will get a breather after going 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.
Jun 15 2022Ortega is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jun 14 2022Ortega remains on the bench Tuesday against the Padres. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Jun 13 2022Ortega will sit Monday against the Padres. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega's days off usually come against lefties, but he'll sit here against righty Yu Darvish. Willson Contreras will rest his legs as the designated hitter, with Yan Gomes entering the lineup behind the plate.
Jun 11 2022Ortega is not in Saturday's lineup against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With lefty Jordan Montgomery starting for New York, Ortega heads to the bench. Yan Gomes and Willson Contreras are in the lineup. Ortega is hitting .348 with zero home runs and zero steals in seven games this month.
Jun 8 2022Ortega will serve as the Cubs' designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Wednesday's game against the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega has been the main beneficiary of the Cubs' decision to phase Alfonso Rivas out of the regular lineup of late. The 31-year-old will draw his sixth consecutive start and third in a row at DH after going 7-for-18 with two doubles, two walks, two runs and an RBI. However, Ortega's run in a near-everyday role could come to an end as soon as Seiya Suzuki (finger) is back from the injured list.
Jun 2 2022Ortega remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With Christopher Morel emerging as Chicago's everyday center field and Jason Heyward and Clint Frazier having settled into a platoon in right field while Seiya Suzuki (finger) is on the injured list, Ortega looks like he doesn't have a path to regular playing time in the Cubs outfield. He'll be on the bench for a fourth consecutive game Thursday.
May 31 2022Ortega is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Ortega will be on the bench for the second straight game, with his benching Tuesday coming with a southpaw (Eric Lauer) on the hill for the opposition. Clint Frazier will draw the start in right field Tuesday, but both he and Ortega could see their opportunities take a hit if Jason Heyward (illness) is cleared to return from the COVID-19-related injured list in the near future. Seiya Suzuki's (finger) move to the IL on Monday creates an opening in right field, but Heyward could end up sliding over from center to replace Suzuki. Christopher Morel has served as the primary option in center while Heyward has been on the shelf and has thus far performed too well for the Cubs to take him out of the lineup.
May 30 2022Ortega is not in the lineup for the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega started the first game in center, going 3-for-4 with a solo home run, his second of the season, and two runs scored. The outfielder will return to the bench for Game 2, with Clint Frazier, Ian Happ and Nelson Velazquez playing the outfield from left to right, and Frank Schwindel serving as the DH against Milwaukee lefty Aaron Ashby. Ortega should still start frequently against righties.
May 29 2022Ortega went 1-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base in a 5-4 loss Sunday against the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega singled in the second and walked, stole second and scored in the seventh. It was his fourth stolen base in eight attempts. While the lefty is not producing at the same level as his breakout season a year ago, he has found ways to get on base in large part due to a career-best 14.4 percent walk rate. He continues to be solely a platoon bat with 92.4 percent of his plate appearances coming against right-handed pitching.
May 26 2022Ortega is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Ortega will take a seat after starting each of the past four games in center field while going 3-for-16 at the plate. Even though the Reds are bringing a righty (Hunter Greene) to the hill, Ortega will give way in center field to the hot-hitting Christopher Morel, who is leading off for a third game in a row. With Morel's path to playing time in the infield becoming more blocked with Nico Hoerner's return from the injured list Wednesday, the rookie could see most of his starts out of the outfield moving forward. If that's the case, Ortega looks like he'll find himself as the odd man out of the lineup.
May 21 2022Ortega isn't starting Saturday against the Diamondbacks. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega started in the last six games and went 4-for-19 with a homer, two runs, two RBI, four walks and eight strikeouts. However, he'll get a breather while Christopher Morel starts in center field and bats seventh.
May 18 2022Ortega is starting in center field and batting first in Wednesday's game against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega will be making his fourth straight start, and he should remain a regular with Jason Heyward hitting the COVID-19-related injured list Tuesday. Heyward's eventual return may push Ortega to a reserve role, as the Cubs also have Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki to fill outfield spots. Ortega could see more time at DH moving forward, though Frank Schwindel has recently filled that role with increased frequency.
May 17 2022Ortega will start in center field and bat leadoff in Tuesday's game against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Though Ortega had already started in five of the Cubs' previous six games, he was a candidate to see a role reduction this week with Seiya Suzuki having moved past a recent ankle injury. However, with Jason Heyward moving to the COVID-19-related injured list Tuesday, Ortega now looks like he'll have the opportunity to play regularly in center field, at least against right-handed pitching. The lefty-hitting Ortega could end up filling the large side of a platoon in center with the righty-hitting Christopher Morel, who was called up from Double-A Tennessee on Tuesday.
May 16 2022Ortega will start in center field and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After slugging his first home run of the season and extending his RBI streak to three games in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks, Ortega sticks in the lineup Monday for the fifth time in six contests. Now that Seiya Suzuki (ankle) is back in action after a recent multi-game absence, Ortega will likely be the odd man out in the Cubs outfield for a regular role against right-handed pitching.
May 14 2022Ortega will sit Saturday against the Diamondbacks. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega started the last three games in right while while Seiya Suzuki was battling an ankle issue. With Suzuki back in the lineup Saturday, Ortega returns to the bench.
May 11 2022Ortega will start in right field and bat leadoff in Wednesday's game against the Padres. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega will pick up his third start in four games after he went 2-for-4 with a run and a stolen base in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Padres. The Cubs will have room for both Ortega and Frank Schwindel in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale, but one of the two will likely lose out on regular at-bats once Seiya Suzuki (ankle) is back to full strength.
May 9 2022Ortega will sit Monday against San Diego, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega has been on the bench against every lefty the Cubs have faced this season, a trend that continues here against MacKenzie Gore. Willson Contreras will rest his legs as the designated hitter, while Yan Gomes starts behind the plate.
May 8 2022Ortega went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored in Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Dodgers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega led off and supplied one of the Cubs' four hits, including the team's only extra-base effort. The 30-year-old hasn't done much offensively this season with a .208 batting average and .613 OPS, which is a far cry from the .291 average and .823 OPS he registered in 2021. Ortega also has to contend with Jason Heyward and several others for playing time, so he's not the most reliable fantasy asset at the moment.
May 3 2022Ortega will sit Tuesday against the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega began the year in what appeared to be a clear platoon role, as he's yet to start against a lefty this season but was in the lineup against 14 of the first 15 righties the team faced. He sat against right-hander Corbin Burnes on Sunday and remains on the bench Tuesday against another righty in Michael Kopech, so it's possible he's slipping into a bench role. Given his .204/.304/.286 slash line, that may be deserved. Frank Schwindel will be the designated hitter Tuesday, while Alfonso Rivas starts at first base.
May 1 2022Ortega is not in the lineup for Sunday's game at Milwaukee. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega sat against southpaw Eric Lauer on Saturday, and he'll remain on the bench Sunday despite the fact righty Corbin Burnes is pitching for the Brewers. Frank Schwindel will serve as the designated hitter while Alfonso Rivas starts at first base.
Apr 30 2022Ortega will sit Saturday against Milwaukee. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega has sat against every lefty the Cubs have faced this season while starting against all but one righty. With southpaw Eric Lauer on the mound for the Brewers, Ortega will hit the bench, with Willson Contreras resting his legs as the designated hitter as Yan Gomes takes over behind the plate.
Apr 26 2022Ortega is not in Tuesday's lineup against Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He heads to the bench with lefty Max Fried starting for Atlanta. Yan Gomes is starting at designated hitter and batting sixth.
Apr 24 2022Ortega went 2-for-5 with two doubles and a run scored in Sunday's loss to the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega found some success as the leadoff hitter Sunday with his second and third doubles of the season. The 30-year-old has been seeing regular time as the DH and No. 1 hitter for the Cubs, though he's been scuffling a bit with a .205 batting average and .577 OPS. Better days could be ahead as long as he holds onto the playing time and prime lineup position.
Apr 22 2022Ortega isn't starting Friday's game against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Apr 19 2022Ortega remains on the bench for Tuesday's game against the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Apr 18 2022Ortega isn't in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Apr 17 2022Ortega is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Apr 14 2022Ortega isn't starting Thursday's game against Colorado. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Apr 12 2022Ortega will sit Tuesday against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Apr 9 2022Ortega is serving as the designated hitter and batting leadoff in Saturday's game against the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Apr 8 2022Ortega will sit Friday against the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Apr 7 2022Ortega will lead off and serve as the designated hitter for the Cubs' Opening Day game against the Brewers on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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 nonetheless has a place in the lineup 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.
Mar 16 2022With 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. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Oct 2 2021Ortega isn't starting Saturday's game against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Sep 30 2021Ortega went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two runs scored and a walk Thursday against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Sep 28 2021Ortega went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks and two runs scored in Tuesday's loss to the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Sep 25 2021Ortega is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against St. Louis. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Sep 24 2021Ortega is on the bench for Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Sep 22 2021Ortega 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. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: 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.
Sep 15 2021Ortega isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega has started against only seven southpaws this year, and he'll head to the bench with left-hander Ranger Suarez on the mound for the Phillies. Patrick Wisdom, Ian Happ and Alfonso Rivas will start in the outfield from left to right.
Sep 13 2021Ortega went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored in Sunday's loss to the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega didn't do much aside from hitting a triple and putting up his first multi-hit game since Sep. 4, when he recorded three hits against the Pirates. He's only hitting .225 with a .712 OPS across 42 plate appearances this month and has struggled to make much of an impact across most fantasy formats, partially due to a lack of consistency at the plate. He has gone hitless in six of his 11 games during September.
Sep 7 2021Ortega is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega has cooled off recently after some surprisingly strong performances to start the second half, hitting .175/.230/.368 over his last 15 games. Ian Happ will slide to center field Tuesday, with Patrick Wisdom moving out to Happ's usual spot in left field and Matt Duffy taking Wisdom's place at third base.
Sep 4 2021Ortega went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI in Saturday's 7-6 win over Pittsburgh. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The outfielder provided a clutch hit in the Cubs' ninth-inning rally, plating Sergio Alcantara with a game-tying RBI single. Ortega was in a slump prior to Saturday, going 7-for-45 across his last 12 games before the three-hit effort. He's now slashing .299/.353/.486 with nine home runs, 30 RBI, 29 runs scored and eight stolen bases through 234 plate appearances.
Sep 3 2021Ortega is on the bench for Friday's game against the Pirates, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI on Thursday, raising his average to .175 with three home runs and 10 RBI in the last 10 games. Michael Hermosillo is playing center field and batting leadoff Friday.
Aug 28 2021Ortega went 1-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk in Saturday's 7-0 victory versus the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega broke open what had been a two-run game with a fourth-inning grand slam off Lance Lynn. The long ball was his second in the past four games and pushed his total to eight on the season. Ortega is enjoying his strongest big-league campaign, slashing .297/.357/.479 across 211 plate appearances.
Aug 27 2021Ortega will be on the bench Friday against the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 30-year-old still owns a surprisingly strong .298/.356/.458 slash line through 72 games this season, though he's gone cold at the plate over his last six games, grabbing just two hits. Michael Hermosillo starts in center field in his absence.
Aug 25 2021Ortega went 1-for-5 with a stolen base in Game 2 against the Rockies on Wednesday night. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega swiped home as part of a double steal that gave the Cubs a 5-2 lead in the second inning. It was the eighth stolen base (13 attempts) this season for Ortega, who is hitting just .204 over his last 15 games.
Aug 23 2021Ortega went 1-for-4 with a walk, a two-run home and two runs scored in Monday's win over the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega's seventh home run of the year was of the walkoff variety, as he took Daniel Bard deep in the bottom of the ninth inning with a runner on to give the Cubs a 6-4 win. Ortega has excelled for Chicago, slashing .306/.365/.483 across 70 games. The sample size looks large enough to think that the 30-year-old has earned a role heading into 2022 after being something of a journeyman before this season.
Aug 18 2021Ortega went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega has settled in as a solid leadoff hitter for the Cubs, as he's now slashing .329/.389/.506 across 66 games this season. The 30-year-old outfielder hadn't been able to find sustained success at the MLB level before this year, but he's making a strong case to be a part of Chicago's plans in 2022.
Aug 16 2021Ortega will sit Monday against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 30-year-old journeyman has been a rare bright spot in Wrigleyville this season, emerging from obscurity to hit .327/.382/.506 in 63 games. Johneshwy Fargas will take his place in center field Monday.
Aug 13 2021Ortega is not in the lineup Friday against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega started the past 16 games and hit a blistering .421/.476/.684 with four home runs, 10 RBI, 11 runs and four stolen bases during that stretch, and he'll receive a well-earned day off in Miami. Johneshwy Fargas will take over in center field for the Cubs in the series opener.
Aug 10 2021Ortega went 3-for-4 in a 4-2 loss to the Brewers during the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 30-year-old did his job as the leadoff hitter, but the depleted Chicago lineup behind him couldn't bring him around to score. Ortega has started 13 straight games and produced multi-hit performances in seven of them. batting a blistering .428 (21-for-49) over that stretch with three doubles, four homers, three steals, nine RBI and 11 runs.
Aug 9 2021Ortega went 2-for-4 with a stolen base Sunday in the Cubs' 9-3 loss to the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 30-year-old journeyman outfielder probably won't be a cornerstone piece for the Cubs as they embark on a rebuild, but he's been a nice find off the scrap heap in an otherwise disappointing season for the North Siders. Since getting his minor-league contract selected from Triple-A Iowa in late May, Ortega has gone from serving as a lightly used fourth or fifth outfielder to playing everyday as the Cubs' leadoff man. With an incredible .394/.449/.662 slash line to go with four home runs and four steals since the All-Star break, Ortega has given manager David Ross no reason to move him off the table-setting role.
Aug 5 2021Ortega went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk Thursday against the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega extended his hitting streak to seven games, four of which have been multi-hit efforts. He's also slugged four home runs in that stretch -- three came in one game -- to go along with nine RBI and 10 runs scored. Ortega has served as the team's primary leadoff hitter since July 21 and should be locked into regular playing time until the close of the campaign.
Aug 1 2021Ortega went 4-for-4 with three home runs and five RBI in Sunday's loss to the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega had himself a career day, as he drove in all of the Cubs' runs in the 6-5 defeat. The outfielder has emerged with a regular role, and with Chicago trading away Kris Bryant and Jake Marisnick before the deadline, Ortega should have an even firmer grip on playing time. He has six home runs and a .918 OPS through 50 games and is worth fantasy attention while he plays at a high level as a starter.
Jul 31 2021Ortega went 2-for-4 with a double, a run, an RBI and two strikeouts in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 30-year-old had been splitting time with Ian Happ in the outfield recently, but he could see more regular playing time after Kris Bryant was traded to the Giants on Friday. Ortega has reached base safely in each of the last four games, and he's gone 5-for-14 with two doubles, three runs, an RBI and two walks during that time.
Jul 25 2021Ortega is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega will sit for the first time since July 18, ending a streak of six straight starts during which he went 7-for-19 with a triple, a walk, an RBI and a stolen base. He appears to have worked his way into a timeshare in the outfield with Ian Happ, but both players will head to the bench Sunday with a lefty (Caleb Smith) on the hill for Arizona.
Jul 21 2021Ortega went 2-for-3 with a triple, RBI, stolen base and caught stealing as Chicago lost 3-2 to St. Louis on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Batting leadoff, Ortega singled and stole second in the first and slapped an RBI triple in third but was caught stealing home. The 30-year-old has come out of the All-Star break hot, going 6-for-13 with three extra-base hits, though he now has just three thefts on the bases compared to four times being caught.
Jun 16 2021Ortega went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's loss to the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega hit his second home run of the season in the ninth inning with a runner on to cut the deficit to 6-3, but the Cubs ran out of steam in the loss. The 30-year-old outfielder is only batting .167 and isn't playing every day, so despite the good effort, he's off the fantasy radar at the moment.
Jun 6 2021Ortega is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Following his May 26 call-up, Ortega started in seven of his first eight games with the club, going 4-for-24 with a home run. The lack of production appears to have prompted manager David Ross to look elsewhere for help in the outfield; Ortega will be on the bench for a fourth straight game Sunday.
Jun 2 2021Ortega went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-1 win over San Diego. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: In the fourth inning, Ortega was credited with an RBI after reaching on an error that allowed Anthony Rizzo to score. Ortega also collected a stolen base after reaching on a second-inning single. The 30-year-old outfielder has gone just 4-for-24 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in eight games this year. He's now 1-for-2 in stolen base attempts.
May 26 2021Ortega's contract was selected by the Cubs on Wednesday, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega failed to break camp with the Cubs to begin the year, but he'll join the major-league club after Nico Hoerner (hamstring) was placed on the injured list as part of a corresponding move. The 30-year-old hasn't appeared in the majors since 2019 and should mainly serve in a depth role with the Cubs, but he'll start in left field and bat sixth against the Pirates on Wednesday.
Mar 27 2021Ortega was reassigned to minor-league camp Saturday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega was in camp on a minor-league deal and never really had a shot to start the season in the majors. He'll likely begin the year with Triple-A Iowa and gives the Cubs some organizational depth this season.
Feb 12 2021Ortega signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs on Friday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 29-year-old joined the Braves on a minor-league deal last offseason, but he wasn't included in the team's 60-player pool and didn't see the field in 2020. Ortega struggled in 34 games for the Braves in 2019, but he had an .897 OPS with 21 homers in 111 appearances at Triple-A that year.
Dec 2 2019Ortega was non-tendered by Atlanta on Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega slashed .205/.271/.307 with two home runs and 10 RBI over 34 games with the Braves in 2019. There's a good chance he'll need to settle for a minor-league deal to get off the open market.
Oct 2 2019Ortega will be on the Braves' NLDS roster, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Oct 2 2019Ortega will be on the Braves' NLDS roster, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega beat out Austin Riley for the final bench spot, though that's due more to his left-handedness than his talent. He hit just .205/.271/.307 in 34 games this season and owns a career .577 OPS.
Sep 30 2019Ortega went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Mets in 11 innings. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega was able to close out the regular season on a high note, but it may not be enough for him to earn a spot on the Braves' NLDS roster as a reserve outfielder. Heading into Sunday's contest, Ortega was slashing just .108/.195/.135 in September and had seemingly fallen behind Adam Duvall and Billy Hamilton in the outfield pecking order.
Sep 30 2019Ortega went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Mets in 11 innings.
Sep 11 2019Ortega is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He is 1-for-20 with seven strikeouts in eight games this month. Johan Camargo is starting in left field and hitting sixth.
Sep 10 2019Ortega is not starting Tuesday against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega hits the bench after starting the last two games in left field. Austin Riley will get the nod in his place Tuesday.
Sep 7 2019Ortega remains on the bench Friday against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Ortega will sit for the second game in a row. He could be losing his starting role, something that wouldn't be undeserved, judging by his .224/.297/.310 slash line through 18 games. Austin Riley will get the nod in left field.
Sep 6 2019Ortega is not in Friday's lineup against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He heads to the bench with southpaw Patrick Corbin starting for Washington. With Austin Riley (knee) getting activated from the injured list there is one more corner outfielder in the mix for Atlanta. Riley will start in right field while Adam Duvall starts in left.
Aug 25 2019Ortega is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets, 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.
Aug 13 2019Ortega's contract was selected from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.
Dec 15 2017Ortega signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on Friday, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.Ortega has only appeared in 66 big-league games throughout the course of his eight-year professional career, all coming in 2016 with the Angles. This past season, he spent the entire season with Triple-A El Paso within the Padres' system, slashing .317/.383/.468 with six home runs, 53 RBI and 26 stolen bases. He will likely begin the 2018 campaign back in Triple-A, but could find himself playing at the major-league level sometime during the summer.
Sep 8 2014Ortega was designated for assignment Monday.The Cardinals claimed Ortega off waivers over the winter, but in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, he will now pass through the waiver process again.
Jan 6 2014Ortega was claimed off waivers by the Cardinals on Monday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.Ortega hit .228 over 158 at-bats in 2013 with the Rockies' Double-A affiliate, and will serve as organizational depth at outfield for the Cardinals in 2014.
Dec 30 2013Ortega was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Monday.Ortega was claimed off waivers earlier in the offseason from the Rockies, where he was promoted during the season to the Double-A level. He is known for having solid plate discipline and could remain in the Rangers' farm system if he clears waivers. The Rangers needed to make room on the 40-man roster for the acquisition of Miles Mikolas.
Mar 12 2013Ortega was optioned to Double-A Tulsa on Monday.The 21-year-old outfielder previously earned a surprise call-up from High-A Modesto to the big leagues last September when the Rockies had few other healthy outfielders on the active roster. Already a quick outfielder with good contact skills, Ortega will look to develop more power as he advances through the system.
Sep 30 2012Ortega had his contract selected by the Rockies on Sunday, the team's official Twitter page reports.Ortega will make the jump to the majors from High-A Modesto, where he hit .283/.344/.410 with eight homers, 60 RBI and 36 steals this season. The 21-year-old will start in center field and bat second against Dodgers right-hander Josh Beckett in his MLB debut Sunday.