Astros pitcher Kaleb Ort reacts after Marlins shortstop Vidal Brujan struck out to end the eighth inning in a game at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in Houston. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle)
The Houston Astros made a splash this week, agreeing to a three-year deal with Japanese free-agent right-hander Tatsuya Imai. To create space on the 40-man roster, Houston designated reliever Kaleb Ort for assignment.
Ort, who previously pitched in the Boston Red Sox organization, spent the past two seasons with the Astros. In 2025, he appeared in 49 games, posting a 4.89 ERA and a 5.03 FIP while striking out 49 batters and walking 27.
Houston originally acquired Ort off waivers from the Seattle Mariners in May of 2024. He made his Astros debut that June and delivered the best season of his major-league career, compiling a 2.55 ERA with 26 strikeouts against just four walks.
While with the Red Sox, Ort made 47 major-league appearances across three seasons, recording a 6.27 ERA in 51 2/3 innings. A former Rule 5 Draft pick (minor-league phase), Ort has found his greatest success at the Triple-A level, where he owns a 3.58 ERA across 155 career appearances.
Command has consistently been Ort’s Achilles’ heel in the majors. Although he has shown the ability to miss bats, it has often come at the expense of control, as evidenced by a career walk rate near 14 percent. Despite those issues, the Astros were forced to deploy Ort in higher-leverage situations in 2025 due to injuries to key bullpen arms Josh Hader and Bennett Sousa.
Ort’s season ultimately came to an abrupt end when he landed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation.
Now out of minor-league options, Ort enters a brief period of uncertainty. He can be traded or released over the coming days. With less than three years of MLB service time and no prior outright assignments, Ort could be sent to Triple-A if he clears waivers and would likely receive a non-roster invitation to spring training.
AloJapan.com