Ortega signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Jan. 5.

EDGE Analysis

Ortega, 32, spent the bulk of the 2023 season at the Triple-A level in the Mets and Rangers organizations but did get into 47 games with the Mets, posting a .619. He's a career .247/.324/.352 hitter over parts of seven big-league seasons. The White Sox' outfield depth is scarce, so it's possible Ortega will get another opportunity in the majors at some point in 2024.

Ortega elected to become a free agent Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Ortega cleared waivers after being pushed off the Mets' 40-man roster last week. The 32-year-old outfielder drew regular playing time down the stretch this season in Queens but finished with an ugly .219 batting average and .613 OPS across 136 total plate appearances.

The Mets placed Ortega on outright waivers Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ortega became an everyday part of the Mets' outfield in the second half of the season, but he'll now be booted from the active roster after slashing .219/.341/.272 across 136 plate appearances. The 32-year-old Ortega will likely elect free agency if he goes unclaimed off waivers.

Ortega was added to the lineup for Wednesday's game at Miami.

EDGE Analysis

Ortega will start in left field and bat sixth versus the Marlins and right-hander Eury Perez after DJ Stewart (wrist) had to be scratched just before first pitch.

Ortega is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Ortega appears to have lost of his regular spot in the lineup against right-handed pitching in the wake of the Mets promoting top prospect Ronny Mauricio from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday. With Mauricio picking up his third straight start at second base Sunday, Jeff McNeil will make his third consecutive start in the outfield, leaving no room in the lineup for Ortega. Since being promoted from Syracuse himself Aug. 1, Ortega has slashed .238/.337/.300 in 92 plate appearances with the Mets.

Ortega is out of the lineup Tuesday versus the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Ortega has put together a three-game hitting streak, but the 32-year-old left-handed hitter will take a seat Tuesday with southpaw Andrew Heaney toeing the slab for Texas. Tim Locastro is covering left field and batting ninth for the Mets.

Ortega isn't in the Mets' lineup Friday against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Ortega will get a breather as the Halos send left-hander Patrick Sandoval out to the mound to start Friday's contest. Ortega's absence will allow Tim Locastro to start in left field and bat ninth.

Ortega went 1-for-3 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Monday's win over Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

The journeyman outfielder took Allan Winans deep in the second inning for his first homer of 2023. Ortega has started 14 of the last 16 games, mostly in center field, and he's earned that playing time with a .280/.345/.360 slash line, three steals, five RBI and nine runs. The 32-year-old isn't part of the Mets' future, but he seems poised to be a big part of the team's patchwork lineup for the rest of the season.

Ortega is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Tim Locastro will start in center field and bat ninth as the Mets take on left-hander Bailey Falter. The left-handed-hitting Ortega went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's series-opening victory over Pittsburgh.

Ortega went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's win over Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Ortega scored the Mets' first run of the game in the third inning and later ripped a two-run single in the fifth. It was his second multi-hit game of the year and first three-hit performance. In 12 games since being promoted to the MLB level, he's slashing .243/.317/.270 with four runs scored and one extra-base hit.