Oliver Ortega

Ortega signed with the Los Angeles Angels as an international free agent on February 10, 2015.^[1][2] He spent the 2015 season with the DSL Angels, going 1–3 with a 4.33 ERA over 43+2⁄3 innings.^[3] He spent the 2016 season with the AZL Angels, going 2–3 with a 2.83 ERA over 28+2⁄3 innings.^[3] Ortega did not appear in a game in 2017.^[3] He spent the 2018 season with the Burlington Bees, going 4–5 with a 3.51 ERA over 82 innings.^[3]

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 94+1⁄3 innings.^[4][1] Ortega was a 2019 California League All-Star.^[5] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.^[6]

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.^[7]

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.^[8] He was designated for assignment on December 22, following the signing of Brandon Drury.

On January 6, 2023, Ortega was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins.^[9] On January 10, Ortega was designated for assignment by Minnesota following the acquisition of A. J. Alexy.^[10] On January 17, Ortega cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints.^[11] In 16 games for the St. Paul, Ortega recorded a 2.42 ERA with 28 strikeouts and 2 saves in 22+1⁄3 innings of work. On June 20, the Twins selected his contract to the major league roster.^[12] In 10 games for Minnesota, he logged a 4.30 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 14+2⁄3 innings pitched. On August 24, Ortega was placed on the injured list with a left lumbar strain.^[13] He was transferred to the 60–day injured list on August 28, ending his season.^[14]

On October 25, 2023, Ortega was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros.^[15] 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.^[16] On June 26, Ortega underwent season–ending surgery to remove a bone spur from the same elbow.^[17] 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.^[18]

On December 8, 2024, Ortega signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.^[19] 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 14+2⁄3 innings pitched. Ortega elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2025.^[20]

On February 3, 2026, Ortega signed with the Bravos de León of the Mexican League.^[21]

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