Rafael Ortega: Everything you need to know

The Mets released Ortega on Thursday. 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. 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. 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.