Oliver Ortega DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, the New York Mets have signed right-handed pitcher Oliver Ortega to a minor-league contract. Ortega missed the entire 2024 campaign due to an elbow operation. Before this, Ortega spent the 2023 campaign with the Twins and the 2021 and 2022 campaigns with the Angels. In Minnesota, the 28-year-old logged only 14 2/3 innings at the big league level and held a 4.30 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. During the 2022 campaign, Ortega posted a career-high 34 innings and held a 3.71 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Through 72 1/3 career innings at Triple-A, Ortega carried a 3.61 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Ortega to operate as a low-leverage relief option if he can make the Opening Day Roster.

Houston Astros relief pitcher Oliver Ortega (elbow) underwent surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow on Thursday and is expected to be shut down for three to four months, according to the team. Ortega will miss most of the 2024 campaign now. The 27-year-old Dominican hurler made 10 relief appearances for the Minnesota Twins in 2023, allowing seven earned runs on 11 hits (two homers) while walking seven and striking out 14 in 14 2/3 innings. In his first two major-league seasons with the Los Angeles Angeles, Ortega had a 3.95 ERA (4.74 FIP), a 1.48 WHIP, one save, 20 walks and 37 strikeouts in 35 relief outings over 43 1/3 frames. He will open the 2024 season with Houston on the 60-day injured list.