Ortiz was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis by the Pirates on Tuesday.
Ortiz gave up seven earned runs on 12 hits and three walks over six innings this spring in the Grapefruit League, and he also spent some time away from Pirates camp while representing the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. The 24-year-old should get an extended look in Pittsburgh at some point in the first half of the 2023 season.
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Pirates' Luis Ortiz: Added to DR roster for WBC
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Ortiz was added Thursday to the Dominican Republic's roster for the World Baseball Classic.
He's replacing Pirates teammate Jarlin Garcia, who is out indefinitely with a left arm injury. Ortiz is probably going to be ticketed for Triple-A Indianapolis once the WBC is over and camp breaks, but the 24-year-old right-hander seems certain to take on a sizable role in Pittsburgh at some point in 2023.
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Pirates' Luis Ortiz: Heads back to minors
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The Pirates optioned Ortiz to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Since Ortiz wasn't scheduled to pitch again in 2022 after making a start Saturday in St. Louis, the Pirates chose to option him to open up room on the 28-man active roster for a player who can contribute over their final three games. Though he failed to escape the first inning against the Cardinals while serving up six earned runs, Ortiz still delivered a solid 4.50 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 17:10 K:BB in 16 innings over his first four big-league starts. He should get the chance to compete for a spot in the Bucs' Opening Day rotation next spring.
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Pirates' Luis Ortiz: Knocked around in loss
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Ortiz (0-2) took the loss to the Cardinals on Saturday, allowing six runs on three hits while striking out none and walking three over two-thirds of an inning.
It was an extremely rough outing for Ortiz, who allowed a two-run single from Albert Pujols and a grand slam from Corey Dickerson before being pulled. This was the fourth appearance of the year for Ortiz, who had pitched well in his prior outings. In his three previous appearances, he allowed two runs in 15.1 innings for a 1.17 ERA. It now sits at 4.50 after Saturday's clunker.
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Pirates' Luis Ortiz: Seven strikeouts in loss
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Ortiz (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Cubs, allowing a run on one hit and two walks while striking out seven in 4.2 innings.
It was a bit of a tough-luck loss for Ortiz on Sunday as he left the scoreless game with two outs and one on in the fifth only to see reliever Manny Banuelos gave up a homer, saddling Ortiz with an earned run. He fanned six of the first 10 batters he faced and did not give up another hit after allowing the first batter of the game to single. The 23-year-old has allowed only five hits in 15.1 innings across his first three big-league starts, compiling a 1.17 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB in that span. His next and possibly final start of the season will likely come next weekend in St. Louis.
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Pirates' Luis Ortiz: Awarded another start
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Ortiz is slated to start Sunday against the Cubs at PNC Park.
After holding the Yankees to two runs (one earned) while striking out five in five innings Tuesday following his promotion from Triple-A Indianapolis, Ortiz will be rewarded with a second straight turn through the rotation. The rookie now owns an 0.84 ERA and 0.84 WHIP through his first two big-league outings and will look to parlay a strong finish to the 2022 season into a spot in the Pirates' Opening Day rotation in 2023.
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Pirates' Luis Ortiz: Five innings in no-decision
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Ortiz did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks over five innings against the Yankees. He struck out five.
Ortiz held the Yankees scoreless through four innings, but an error and a couple of hits in the bottom of the fifth cost Ortiz both an earned run and an unearned run. Even so, he was in line for the victory before the bullpen blew the game. The flamethrowing rookie has looked good for the Pirates so far, allowing just one earned run in 10.2 innings of work with 10 punchouts. He will likely face the Cubs this weekend if he sticks around in the rotation.
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Pirates' Luis Ortiz: Rejoins Bucs
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The Pirates recalled Ortiz from Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.
Pittsburgh returned Ortiz to Triple-A on Wednesday after he served as the 29th man for a doubleheader with the Reds the day prior, but he'll be able to rejoin the big club less than a week after being optioned due to JT Brubaker (arm) landing on the injured list Sunday in a corresponding move. Ortiz will presumably be the top candidate to step into the rotation Tuesday against the Yankees in place of Brubaker after an impressive showing in his MLB debut last week. The hard-throwing right-hander topped 100 miles per hour on six occasions in his start versus the Reds, tossing 5.2 scoreless frames while striking out six.
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Pirates' Luis Ortiz: Blanks Cincy in spot start
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Ortiz didn't factor into the decision in a 1-0 win over the Reds during the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader, allowing only one hit and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.
The 23-year-old was extremely impressive in his big-league debut, tossing 56 of 83 pitches for strikes and exiting one out short of a quality start. Ortiz has the stuff to back up that performance -- he reached 100 mph with his fastball six times in the game while mixing in a slider and changeup, and his final fastball of the night popped 99.9 mph. After posting a 138:38 K:BB through 124.1 innings in the high minors this season, the breakout prospect appears on track to claim a spot in the Pirates' 2023 rotation, if not for the final weeks of 2022.
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Pirates' Luis Ortiz: Officially called up
Rotowire
Ortiz's contract was selected from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.
Ortiz will start the second game of Tuesday's twin bill against the Reds, and he was officially added to the roster prior to the opening game. He will serve as the 29th man, so chances are he will head back to the minors after the nightcap.
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Pirates' Luis Ortiz: Starting Game 2 of twin bill
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Ortiz will be called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to start the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Reds, Will Aldrich of MLB.com reports.
As expected, the Pirates will bring up Ortiz for his MLB debut Tuesday. The move is not yet official, as the Pirates will need to clear a roster spot before promoting the young right-hander. Between stops at Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona this season, the 23-year-old has generated a 4.56 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 138:38 K:BB across 124.1 innings.
