Report: Yankees Pick Up Free Agent Pitcher Russ Ortiz
The Yankees made a minor move on Wednesday according to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times, signing Russ Ortiz to a minor league contract.
Ortiz was released by the Astros last week after going 3-6 with a 5.57 ERA in 23 games (13 starts) this season. The 35-year-old veteran of 11 seasons has a career record of 113-88 with a 4.48 ERA. The righty has notched six seasons with 10 or more wins including 18 wins in 1999 with the Giants and a career-high 21 wins in 2003 with the Braves when he went 21-7 and made his first and only All-Star appearance.
Since that successful 2003 campaign, Ortiz has gone 25-45 with the Braves, Diamondbacks, Orioles, Giants and Astros. Ortiz will remain in Triple-A for the time being, a move made to boost the Yankees' pitching depth.
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About the Author
After graduating from Springfield College, John Beattie spent two seasons reporting for the New York Jets' Internet and Publications department before the Longmeadow, Mass. native joined NESN. While at Springfield, Beattie played first base and outfield for the Pride.