Kaleb Ort DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Athletic's Matt Kawahara reports that Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown does not think pitchers Forrest Whitley (knee) and Kaleb Ort (oblique) will be ready to go for the start of the season. However, Brown did note that both relievers could return "inside the month of April." The oft-injured Whitley sustained a bruised knee during his last spring training appearance, and although it appears minor, he's still working through it. While his major-league experience is capped at three innings, the 27-year-old was excellent to close out the 2024 season for Triple-A Sugar Land. On the other hand, Ort picked up an oblique injury early in camp and is behind in his build-up. The 33-year-old was superb for the Stros a season ago with a 2.55 ERA in 24.2 innings, though he compiled a 6.26 ERA or higher over the prior two seasons. They'll boost Houston's bullpen when both are healthy, and it appears their stays on the IL won't be for long.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday that right-hander Kaleb Ort (oblique) will throw a bullpen session in camp on Thursday. Ort is behind all the other pitchers in spring training after coming down with a left-oblique injury early in camp. Just based solely on the fact that the 33-year-old veteran isn't facing live hitters yet with just over a week to go until Opening Day means that he's likely to open the 2025 regular season on the injured list. However, Ort could be looking at a minimal IL stay to open the year if he can avoid any setbacks from here on out. He had a nice 2.55 ERA (5.23 FIP) and 0.81 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and only four walks in his first year with the Astros in 2024 in 24 2/3 relief innings. However, Ort sports a career 5.07 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, one save and a 77:29 K:BB in 76 1/3 innings in his four MLB seasons.

Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports that Houston Astros pitcher Kaleb Ort (oblique) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday. Ort hurt his oblique in mid-February and has progressed nicely over recent weeks, as he only just began throwing on flat ground a few days ago. It's an essential milestone in his effort to get back to in-game action, and as long as he does not suffer any setbacks, there's still a shot for him to be ready for opening day. The hard-throwing righty was superb in 2024, posting a 0.81 WHIP and 2.55 ERA in 24.2 innings pitched while letting up a .180 average to opposing hitters in three months of work. However, he did falter a bit in September -- allowing five of his seven earned runs. Houston held the sixth-best mark in the league regarding team ERA last season, and if Ort can duplicate the success he found after his call-up from Sugar Land, they could be near the top of the list again in 2025.

Houston Astros relief pitcher Kaleb Ort (oblique) is dealing with an oblique injury. Manager Joe Espada noted that the right-hander will not throw for a couple of days. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Ort's status during spring training, as a setback could put him in danger of missing Opening Day. Last season, the 33-year-old posted a 2.55 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP across 24 2/3 innings of relief. He tallied three holds and showed elite command with a 4.3 percent walk rate. This was a strong improvement compared to the 6.26 ERA and the 1.57 WHIP he held across 23 innings during the 2023 campaign. When healthy, Ort should contend for high leverage in the Houston bullpen and could be a viable target in deeper holds leagues. Currently, Bryan Abreu is slated to be the setup option for Josh Hader, but Ort could eventually earn the seventh-inning role.

The Baltimore Orioles acquired right-hander Kaleb Ort from the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday in exchange for cash considerations. In a corresponding move, the Orioles designated outfielder Peyton Burdick for assignment. The move comes after the Phillies recently designated Ort for assignment. The 32-year-old will stay on the East coast and try to win a spot in Baltimore's Opening Day rotation out of spring training. He'll probably be a long shot to do so and could end up with a new organization before the start of the 2024 season, considering he's out of minor-league options. Ort had a 6.26 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 23 innings for the Boston Red Sox last year and has a 6.27 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in only 51 2/3 frames over three MLB seasons in Boston.