Rafael Ortega triggered an opt-out clause in his minor league deal with the Mets and was granted his release, making him a free agent. The 34-year-old outfielder previously signed a minor league deal with the Mets after a 2023 campaign where he had a batting line of .219/.341/.272 in the major leagues and .230/.379/.398 in Triple-A. Ortega has over three years of major league service time and a career batting average of .245 in the big leagues. He has had injury issues this season and was limited in playing time after his return from a hamstring strain. Given the recent promotion of top prospect Carson Benge, Ortega's opportunities have diminished, prompting his release.
Ortega has spent the majority of the current season on the injured list due to a significant hamstring strain. He went on a low-level rehab stint in late July and was activated on the Triple-A roster earlier this month.
In parts of 10 seasons at the Triple-A level, Ortega is a .286/.370/.446 hitter. He's a left-handed bat who can handle all three outfield positions.
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