Nationals send Abimelec Ortiz back to Triple-A

It’s the first trip to the big leagues for the 24-year-old slugger. Ortiz was slashing .235/.332/.481 with 16 homers, 59 RBI and a 60/31 K/BB ratio over 304 plate appearances at Triple-A Rochester. He’s unlikely to see enough playing time to gain any sort of relevance from a fantasy perspective. He’ll serve as the club’s designated hitter and bat third against Yankees’ right-hander Will Warren in his MLB debut on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Ortiz, who was acquired from Texas in the MacKenzie Gore trade, had a slight chance of winning the first base job in D.C., but he’d gone just 3-for-22 in camp. He’ll be in line for a look this summer if he goes back to thriving in Triple-A; he hit .283/.388/.565 in 41 games after moving up to Round Rock last year.

Ortiz, who turns 24 next month, is the one guy the Nationals picked up here with a chance of offering some fantasy value in deep formats this year. The left-handed batter hit .257/.356/.479 with 25 homers between Double- and Triple-A last season, and while about two-thirds of that was Double-A, he actually fared much better in Triple-A (.283/.388/.565 in 41 games). Odds are that he’ll fall a little short of becoming a quality long-term option as a first baseman against right-handers, but time will tell. He should begin this year in Triple-A, but there isn’t much standing in his way if he impresses.

The Nationals are set to receive a package of five prospects in return: infielders Gavin Fien and Devin Fitz-Gerald, outfielder Yeremy Cabrera, first baseman Abimelec Ortiz and right-hander Alejandro Rosario. It’s a tremendous get for the Rangers as Gore will bolster the top of their rotation with a strong left-handed arm that they were solely lacking. The 26-year-old southpaw registered a 4.17 ERA and an 185/64 K/BB ratio across 159 2/3 innings with the Nationals in 2025. He’s under team control through the 2027 season.

Ortiz earns a spot on Texas’ 40-man roster and will be protected from next month’s Rule 5 Draft after recording an .835 OPS with 25 home runs and four steals in 130 games between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock this past season. He offers enough over-the-fence power potential to be interesting if it comes together at the highest level.

Harris played in five spring games at camp going 3-for-10 with a double and two RBI. The 24-year-old had a chance to be the Rangers’ DH but will start his 2024 season at Triple-A Round Rock. Last season, he slashed .259/.378/.431 between Double and Triple-A.