With spring training right around the corner, most players on the fringe of big-league rosters are gearing up for a shot to prove themselves. But for Luis Ortiz, that opportunity never came. The right-hander, who signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets during the 2024-25 offseason, has been released before even stepping on the mound in camp.
The Mets brought Ortiz in knowing he wouldn't pitch in 2025 - he was recovering from Tommy John surgery at the time of the signing. It was a classic low-risk, potential-reward move: stash the arm, let him rehab, and see if he could contribute in 2026.
But now, just as the rehab runway was nearing its end, the Mets have moved on. No spring training invite.
No bullpen sessions. Just a quiet release.
It’s a tough break for a pitcher who, not long ago, was viewed as a potential bullpen piece in Philadelphia.
Ortiz’s journey has been winding. The Phillies picked him up off waivers from the Giants ahead of the 2023 season, hoping to tap into his raw potential.
And early on, it looked like they might’ve found something. In 14 relief appearances that year, Ortiz posted a 3.32 ERA, allowing just seven earned runs over 19 innings, with 16 strikeouts and only five walks.
It wasn’t flashy, but it was solid - the kind of performance that earns you another look.
But 2024 didn’t start the way anyone hoped. In his season debut, Ortiz gave up two runs on three hits in just two-thirds of an inning. To make matters worse, he sprained his left ankle in the outing - an injury that landed him on the IL and kicked off a cascade of health issues.
First came shoulder inflammation during his rehab. Then, as he tried to ramp back up, forearm discomfort set in. That ultimately led to Tommy John surgery, ending his season and, eventually, his time with the Phillies.
Now 30, Ortiz finds himself back on the market, still looking for a shot to re-establish himself. There’s reason to believe he could still have something left in the tank.
His 2023 stint in Philly showed he can get big-league hitters out when healthy. And while injuries have derailed his last two seasons, the arm talent that once intrigued multiple organizations hasn’t just disappeared.
Could the Phillies consider a reunion? It wouldn’t be the worst idea.
They never got a full look at Ortiz, and bullpen depth is always a premium - especially with a long season ahead. A minor league deal with an invite to camp could give both sides another chance to see what’s there.
For now, Ortiz is a free agent again, hoping for the kind of opportunity that just slipped through his fingers in New York. He’s not the first pitcher to be cut loose before spring training, and he won’t be the last.
But if he can stay healthy, there’s still a path back. And maybe - just maybe - a second act waiting in Philadelphia.