{{Short description|Dominican baseball player (born 1996)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name = Oliver Ortega |image = |team = Sultanes de Monterrey |number = 44 |position = Pitcher |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|10|2}} |birth_place = Nagua, Dominican Republic |bats = Right |throws = Right |debutleague = MLB |debutdate = September 8 |debutyear = 2021 |debutteam = Los Angeles Angels |statleague = MLB |statyear = 2023 season |stat1label = Win–loss record |stat1value = 2–4 |stat2label = Earned run average |stat2value = 4.03 |stat3label = Strikeouts |stat3value = 51 |teams = * Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2022}}) * Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2023}}) }}
'''Oliver Ortega''' (born October 2, 1996) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins.
==Professional career== ===Los Angeles Angels=== Ortega signed with the Los Angeles Angels as an international free agent on February 10, 2015.<ref name=OOsign/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://halohangout.com/2015/02/13/angels-sign-dominican-prospect-oliver-ortega/|title=Angels Sign Dominican Prospect Oliver Ortega|date=February 13, 2015|author=Mike Greyshock|website=Halo Hangout|publisher=FanSided|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> He spent the 2015 season with the DSL Angels, going 1–3 with a 4.33 ERA over {{frac|43|2|3}} innings.<ref name=OOstats>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ortega000oli|title=Oliver Ortega player page|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> He spent the 2016 season with the AZL Angels, going 2–3 with a 2.83 ERA over {{frac|28|2|3}} innings.<ref name=OOstats/> Ortega did not appear in a game in 2017.<ref name=OOstats/> He spent the 2018 season with the Burlington Bees, going 4–5 with a 3.51 ERA over 82 innings.<ref name=OOstats/>
Ortega split the 2019 season between the Inland Empire 66ers and the Mobile BayBears, going a combined 4–5 with a 3.34 ERA and 121 strikeouts over {{frac|94|1|3}} innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/toolshed-40-man-protection-preview/c-311901856|title=Toolshed: 40-man protection preview|author=Sam Dykstra|website=MiLB.com|date=November 19, 2019|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref><ref name=OOsign>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/highly-rated-pitching-prospect-oliver-ortega-joins-baybears/c-309695874|title=Highly-rated pitching prospect Oliver Ortega joins BayBears|author=Mobile BayBears|website=MiLB.com|date=August 4, 2019|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> Ortega was a 2019 California League All-Star.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbsun.com/2019/06/17/california-league-all-star-game-comes-to-san-bernardinos-san-manuel-stadium/|title=California League All-Star game comes to San Bernardino's San Manuel Stadium|author=Pete Marshall|website=The San Bernardino Sun|date=June 17, 2019|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|access-date=June 28, 2024|website=mlb.com|language=en}}</ref>
Ortega received his first promotion to the major leagues when the Angels selected his contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on September 1, 2021. He made his major league debut on September 8, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief against the San Diego Padres.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bollinger |first1=Rhett |title=Ortega brings lively fastball to MLB debut |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/oliver-ortega-makes-mlb-debut-k-s-first-batter |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB |access-date=September 16, 2021}}</ref>
On June 26, 2022, Ortega recorded his first major league save, pitching the final two innings of a 2–1 victory over the Seattle Mariners.<ref>{{cite news |title=Angels' Oliver Ortega: Posts two-inning save |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-oliver-ortega-posts-two-inning-save/ |access-date=27 June 2022 |work=CBSSports.com |publisher=Paramount Global |date=26 June 2022}}</ref> He was designated for assignment on December 22, following the signing of Brandon Drury.
===Minnesota Twins=== On January 6, 2023, Ortega was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Twins Claim RHP Oliver Ortega Off Waivers from Angels|url=https://twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/minnesota-twins/twins-claim-oliver-ortega-waivers-angels-dfa-blayne-enlow/|access-date=2023-01-06|website=twinsdaily.com|date=January 6, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> On January 10, Ortega was designated for assignment by Minnesota following the acquisition of A. J. Alexy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Twins' Oliver Ortega: DFA'd by Twins|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-oliver-ortega-dfad-by-twins/amp/|access-date=2023-01-10|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}</ref> On January 17, Ortega cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Twins' Oliver Ortega: Outrighted to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-oliver-ortega-outrighted-to-triple-a/amp/|access-date=2023-01-17|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}</ref> In 16 games for the St. Paul, Ortega recorded a 2.42 ERA with 28 strikeouts and 2 saves in {{fraction|22|1|3}} innings of work. On June 20, the Twins selected his contract to the major league roster.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Twins' Oliver Ortega: Added to roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-oliver-ortega-added-to-roster/|access-date=June 20, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=June 20, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In 10 games for Minnesota, he logged a 4.30 ERA with 14 strikeouts in {{fraction|14|2|3}} innings pitched. On August 24, Ortega was placed on the injured list with a left lumbar strain.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Twins' Oliver Ortega: Lands on injured list|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-oliver-ortega-lands-on-injured-list/|access-date=September 12, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=August 24, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> He was transferred to the 60–day injured list on August 28, ending his season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Twins' Oliver Ortega: Moves to 60-day IL|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/twins-oliver-ortega-moves-to-60-day-il/|access-date=September 12, 2023|website=cbssports.com|date=August 28, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
===Houston Astros=== On October 25, 2023, Ortega was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Astros' Oliver Ortega: Claimed by Houston|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/astros-oliver-ortega-claimed-by-houston/amp/|access-date=October 25, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}</ref> On March 21, 2024, it was announced that Ortega would miss three to four months after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Astros reliever Oliver Ortega undergoes right elbow surgery|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/astros-oliver-ortega-right-elbow-surgery-19361727.php|access-date=March 21, 2024|website=houstonchronicle.com|language=en}}</ref> On June 26, Ortega underwent season–ending surgery to remove a bone spur from the same elbow.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Oliver Ortega Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/oliver-ortega-undergoes-season-ending-surgery.html|access-date=June 28, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=June 27, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> On November 4, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, but rejected the assignment and elected free agency.<ref>{{Cite web|title=José Urquidy Clears Waivers And Becomes Free Agent|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/jose-urquidy-clears-waivers-and-becomes-free-agent.html|access-date=November 4, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=November 4, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
===New York Mets=== On December 8, 2024, Ortega signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mets Sign Oliver Ortega To Minors Contract|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/12/mets-sign-oliver-ortega-to-minors-contract.html|access-date=December 8, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=December 8, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> He made 13 appearances for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets and Single-A St. Lucie Mets in 2025, accumulating an 0-1 record and 3.07 ERA with 16 strikeouts across {{fraction|14|2|3}} innings pitched. Ortega elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2025|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2025/|access-date=November 28, 2025|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}</ref>
===Bravos de León=== On February 3, 2026, Ortega signed with the Bravos de León of the Mexican League.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 3 de febrero de 2026|url=https://lmb.com.mx/noticias/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-3-de-febrero-de-2026|access-date=February 25, 2026|website=lmb.com.mx|language=es}}</ref> In 13 relief appearances for León, he posted a 2–2 record with a 8.38 ERA, nine strikeouts, and three walks across {{fraction|9|2|3}} innings pitched. On May 13, Ortega was released by the Bravos.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 13 de mayo de 2026|url=https://lmb.com.mx/noticias/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-13-de-mayo-de-2026|access-date=May 14, 2026|website=lmb.com.mx|language=es}}</ref>
===Sultanes de Monterrey=== On May 17, 2026, Ortega signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 17 y 18 de mayo de 2026|url=https://lmb.com.mx/noticias/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-17-y-18-de-mayo-de-2026|access-date=May 21, 2026|website=lmb.com.mx|language=es}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{baseballstats|mlb=661383|espn=3173726|br=o/ortegol01|fangraphs=21025|brm=ortega000oli|retro=O/Porteo001}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ortega, Oliver}} Category:1996 births Category:Living people Category:Arizona League Angels players Category:Bravos de León players Category:Burlington Bees players Category:Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Mexico Category:Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in the United States Category:Dominican Summer League Angels players Category:Inland Empire 66ers players Category:Los Angeles Angels players Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic Category:21st-century Dominican Republic sportsmen Category:Minnesota Twins players Category:Mobile BayBears players Category:People from Nagua Category:Sportspeople from María Trinidad Sánchez Province Category:Rocket City Trash Pandas players Category:Salt Lake Bees players Category:St. Lucie Mets players Category:Sultanes de Monterrey players Category:Tigres del Licey players