Astros Reliever Has Elbow Surgery

Right-handed pitcher Oliver Ortega underwent surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow, General Manager Dana Brown announced today. Ortega is expected to be out of action for approximately 3-4 months.

This Spring, Ortega appeared in two Major League Spring Training games (2/26 at DET, 2/29 vs. NYM), both in relief, before being sidelined with elbow discomfort. Ortega joined the Astros after being claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on Oct. 25, 2023. He appeared in 10 games for the Twins in 2023, going 0-1 with a 4.30 ERA while tallying 14 strikeouts in 14.1 innings pitched.

Ortega, 27, also spent parts of the 2021-22 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In 45 career Major League appearances overall, all in relief, he is 2-4 with a 4.03 ERA (26ER/58IP) with 58 strikeouts and one save.