The Angels announced that right-hander Kaleb Ort has been designated for assignment. That’s the corresponding move to open a spot for left-hander Brent Suter, who has now been officially signed to a one-year deal.
Ort, 34, has been riding the DFA carousel quite a bit this year. He was with the Astros last year but that club designated him for assignment in early January. He then went to the Yankees and Angels via waiver claims and has now been designated for assignment yet again.
That’s a reflection of a few facts. Ort is out of options. His major league track record isn’t amazing. However, he has big stuff, with a fastball that averages in the upper 90s. If he were to clear waivers, he would not have the right to elect free agency, since he doesn’t have a previous career outright and is shy of three years of service time. It seems several clubs are hoping to get Ort to the minors as non-roster depth but none have succeeded so far.
Despite the big arm, Ort hasn’t done too much to impress in the majors. He has thrown 122 1/3 innings, having allowed five earned runs per nine. His 23.7% strikeout rate is decent but he has also walked 10.5% of batters faced.
The Angels can take as long as five days before putting Ort back on the waiver wire but will probably do so sooner than that. The 60-day injured list opens up next week, which will give most clubs some extra roster spots and greater ability to make marginal moves such as waiver claims.
Photo courtesy of Jerome Miron, Imagn Images
Twins will claim him.
It seems Ort is the pass around player this year!
@badco. Might’ve been bido. Im sure they are trying to get him into the minors.
Bido’s gone. Yankees claimed him.
@socalbball. Yeah I was saying bido was passed around more. The reason why guys get picked up and dfa’d the next day is because teams are trying to get them in the minors especially the angels. So they don’t have to pick up guys with 15.00 eras’s during the season.
I know these guys love playing the game but when you can’t make this bullpen, it’s probably time to move on.
That said, hope we keep Ort in the organization.
Red Sox and Breslow will put in a claim with an invite to ST, with a minor league contract. We know him.
The Red Sox know him and are looking for someone with better control and more upside. Their coach improves velocity, which Ort already has. It is the control they can not seem to get improvement.
“His major league track record isn’t amazing. However, he has big stuff, with a fastball that averages in the upper 90s.” – Save that line, you can use it for Hicks in a few years.
Another trip to the Oort Cloud for Kaleb.
The Angels have officially designated
Kaleb Ort, and at this point it feels like the front office is just playing ping‑pong against the wall hoping one finally bounces back with spin.
If the plan is collect every DFA in baseball then congratulations we’re leading the league in something.
Knock Knock
Who’s there?
Ort
Ort who?
Ort you glad you didn’t get stuck with the Halos?