Rafael

Ortega

New York shipped the majority of their top prospects over the minor-league camp during their latest batch of spring cuts. Sproat is the major headliner here after impressing last Friday in a pair of scoreless frames against the Nationals. Tidwell fired an immaculate inning and struck out five over two frames over the weekend against the Rays. Meanwhile, Clifford, Gilbert and Williams have a shot at ascending to the big leagues at some point in the near future.

Ortega was with the Mets back in 2023 and will return after spending 2024 with the White Sox. The 33-year-old only appeared in 14 MLB games for the White Sox this year but did hit .289 with 11 home runs and 17 steals in 84 Triple-A games. He’ll simply be a veteran presence to provide depth in the Mets outfield.

Ortega went unclaimed after being placed on waivers earlier this week. The 33-year-old veteran outfielder went 1-for-14 with a pair of stolen bases in 14 contests this season for the White Sox.

The veteran Ortega had been 0-for-12 for the White Sox until Tuesday, when he singled, walked and stole two bases in the win over the Nationals. Obviously, he just had to go after that.

Ortega signed a minor league deal with the White Sox in the offseason after he spent the 2023 campaign with the Mets where he posted a .613 OPS in his 136 plate appearances. The 32-year-old veteran doesn’t offer much fantasy value, but it appears Chicago is looking to adjust its every day roster as it searches for answers offensively this season.

Ortega got into 47 contests last year for the Mets following their midseason sell-off, posting a serviceable .613 OPS with one homer and six steals across 136 plate appearances. The 32-year-old journeyman outfielder makes sense as emergency outfield depth, but his days as a viable starting-caliber big league outfielder are probably over. He’ll presumably get a shot in spring training to compete for a bench role on the White Sox’ season-opening roster.

They were among six players that were put on waivers by the Mets on Friday. Anthony Kay was claimed by the Athletics, the others were sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse and refused those assignments — opting instead to test the open market. Ortega had a disappointing season for the Mets, hitting just .219/.341/.272 with one home run in 136 plate appearances.

No surprises here. All six players have the ability to elect free agency, if they pass through waivers unclaimed. Ortega, 32, has his backers, but there’s no reason to keep him on the 40-man roster. He hit .219/.341/.272 with one homer in 136 plate appearances for the Mets.

It’ll be the third straight game that the 29-year-old slugger has missed due to soreness in his left wrist. he’s still considered day-to-day. Rafael Ortega will man left field in his stead and will bat eighth for the Mets against Taijuan Walker and the Phillies on Friday evening in Philadelphia.

Mauricio missed Wednesday’s game because he wasn’t feeling well, and it seems like that will be the case again on Thursday. The rookie is hitting 11-of-36 in his first 10 games with one home run, five RBI, and four stolen bases. Jeff McNeil will start at second base with Rafael Ortega playing left field on Thursday. Rookie Brett Baty will also get the day off with Daniel Vogelbach back in the lineup at designated hitter.