The Mets released Ortega on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Ortega opted out of his minor-league contract with the Mets and will look to catch on elsewhere before the end of the season. He had spent a large portion of the 2025 campaign on the injured list at Triple-A Syracuse, with whom he slashed .237/.250/.447 with two home runs and one stolen base over 40 plate appearances.

The Mets reassigned Ortega to minor-league camp Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ortega signed with the Mets and received a camp invite in November, but he's officially bound for the minors after starting Grapefruit League play 1-for-8. The 33-year-old outfielder will likely spend most of the season in Triple-A Syracuse as organizational depth.

The Mets signed Ortega to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ortega received 17 plate appearances with the White Sox in 2024 but spent most of his time at Triple-A Charlotte, where he put up a .912 OPS with 11 homers and 17 steals. The 33-year-old appeared in 47 games for the Mets in 2023, collecting a .613 OPS. Ortega will compete for a reserve outfielder job in spring training but will likely begin 2025 at Triple-A Syracuse.

Ortega cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Charlotte, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ortega held the right to decline his outright assignment and elect free agency, but he will instead remain within the White Sox organization and look to turn things around in the minors. The 33-year-old went 1-for-14 during his stint with the Sox, but he has slashed .241/.378/.431 with 14 RBI through 75 plate appearances with Charlotte.

The White Sox designated Ortega for assignment Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran outfielder went 1-for-14 at the plate during his time with the White Sox. Ortega will likely clear waivers and could report to Triple-A Charlotte, but he has enough tenure to decline a potential outright assignment and elect free agency if he prefers.

Ortega went 1-for-2 with a walk, a run scored and two stolen bases in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Getting the start in center field and batting seventh against southpaw Mitchell Parker, Ortega swiped second base both times he got on board. The hit and the steals were the first of the season for the 33-year-old, and the last two starts for the lefty-swinging Ortega have curiously come against left-handed pitching, as he filled in for Gavin Sheets on Tuesday and Andrew Benintendi on Sunday. With Luis Robert (hip) close to beginning a rehab assignment, Ortega's time on the big-league roster is likely drawing to a close.

The White Sox selected Ortega's contract from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ortega was slashing .241/.378/.431 with three home runs and six stolen bases for Charlotte. Given Chicago's dearth of quality options, the 32-year-old could see semi-regular reps in the outfield.

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.