The Cleveland Guardians acquired pitchers Luis L. Ortiz, Josh Hartle and Michael Kennedy from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night in exchange for infielder Spencer Horwitz, according to sources. Ortiz is the biggest name in the swap for the Guardians as they look to add pitching depth to their system. The 25-year-old Dominican right-hander had his best year in the big leagues in his third year with Pittsburgh in 2024, going 7-6 with a 3.32 ERA (4.25 FIP), 1.11 WHIP, a career-high 107 strikeouts and 42 walks in 135 2/3 innings over 37 appearances (15 starts). Even though the Guardians re-signed Shane Bieber already this offseason, Ortiz could be primed for a spot near the back end of Cleveland's starting rotation to open the 2025 regular season. Ortiz was slightly better as a starter in 2024 but had a strikeout rate under 20%, limiting his overall upside as a matchup-based streamer in deeper leagues.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Luis L. Ortiz rebounded nicely during Wednesday's win over the Cincinnati Reds. The 25-year-old recorded seven strikeouts and allowed one run over six innings of work. This was a nice bounce back performance for Ortiz after he gave up six runs during his outing last Friday. The former top prospect has shown solid flashes this season, which makes him worth monitoring in most fantasy formats. However, it's uncertain if the Pirates plan on keeping Ortiz as a traditional starting pitcher going forward.
The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned right-hander Luis L. Ortiz to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday and recalled right-hander Yohan Ramirez from Indianapolis in a corresponding move. Ortiz will head to the farm to work on his craft over the All-Star break after surrendering 10 runs on 15 hits (five homers allowed) while walking four and striking out three in eight innings over his last two starts for Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old Dominican starter has struggled in his second major-league season, going 2-3 with a 4.86 ERA (6.20 FIP), 1.73 WHIP, 26 walks and only 34 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings over 11 appearances (10 starts). Fantasy managers in deep-mixed leagues should look to replace him.
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Luis L. Ortiz allowed two runs on five hits over 7 2/3 innings in a 6-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Monday. Ortiz struck out four, walked two, and allowed five hits in the win. The rookie hurler didn't post eye-popping stats but he did well in limiting a dangerous Texas lineup in the win. Ortiz now has a 1-2 record, 4.02 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, and eight strikeouts over 15 2/3 innings in 2023.
The Pittsburgh Pirates officially called up pitching prospect Luis L. Ortiz from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday and optioned pitcher Cody Bolton to the minors in a corresponding move, according to sources. Ortiz is the team's No. 8 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he'll be making his major-league debut on Tuesday in a great matchup against the visiting Colorado Rockies. The 24-year-old right-hander could stick in Pittsburgh's starting rotation if he fares well, and he had posted a nice 2.23 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 11 walks and 29 strikeouts in his 32 1/3 innings over seven starts for Indianapolis. Fantasy managers in deep-mixed and NL-only leagues should consider taking a flier on Ortiz.
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander Luis L. Ortiz is with the team on Monday and is expected to start on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies, according to sources. The club's No. 8 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, will be making his season debut for the Bucs after posting a 2.23 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 11 walks and 29 strikeouts in seven starts for Triple-A Indianapolis over 32 1/3 innings this year. The 24-year-old made his big-league debut in 2022, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on eight hits (one homer) while walking 10 and fanning 17 in 16 innings over his four starts. It isn't clear whether Ortiz will just be making a spot start against Colorado. Walks can be a problem for him, but he should be a nice sleeper streamer at home against the Rockies.
Luis Ortiz Optioned To Triple-A After Subpar Spring Training
Right-handed pitching prospect Luis Ortiz was optioned by the Pittsburgh Pirates to their Triple-A team. This move comes after the top-100 prospect put up an ERA of 10.50 in three spring training starts. Ortiz made his major-league debut last September with an xERA of 2.96 and an opponent wOBA of just .230 in four starts. His elite fastball-slider combo -- .114 opponent average on his 98 mph heater and an average of .174 on his slider -- draws comparisons to 2023 National League Cy Young contender Spencer Strider. The 24-year-old still needs a bit of polish, but his elite stuff is worth stashing, especially on a Pirates team that's already low on quality starting pitching.
Luis L. Ortiz
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Guardians
