The Rangers left Ortiz unprotected in both the 2010 and 2011 Rule 5 drafts, but they elected not to risk exposing him a third time, so they added him to their 40-man roster in November. The diminutive reliever turned a corner in 2012, so much so that Texas contemplated calling him up when it needed an extra bullpen lefty. The Rangers love Ortiz's aggressive approach and willingness to throw his plus slider in any count. His low-80s breaking ball makes him a prime candidate for a matchup reliever role in the big leagues. He struck out 25 and walked only one of the 100 lefthanders he faced in 2012, holding them to a .214/.222/.398 line. Thanks to a quick arm, Ortiz throws a 91-92 mph fastball with armside run, keeping hitters from sitting on his slider. However, the list of successful pitchers standing 5-foot-8 and shorter is, well, short. In the past decade, Tim Collins and Danny Ray Herrera are the only two hurlers that short who have worked 100 innings in the majors. Ortiz will try to buck those odds and should get his first callup at some point in 2013.
Career Transactions
LHP Joe Ortiz assigned to Caribes de Anzoategui.
LHP Joe Ortiz assigned to Caribes de Anzoategui.
LHP Joe Ortiz assigned to Tiburones de La Guaira.
Iowa Cubs released LHP Joe Ortiz.
Chicago Cubs sent LHP Joe Ortiz outright to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs designated LHP Joe Ortiz for assignment.
Iowa Cubs activated LHP Joe Ortiz.
LHP Joe Ortiz roster status changed by Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs optioned LHP Joe Ortiz to Iowa Cubs.
Chicago Cubs claimed Joe Ortiz off waivers from Texas Rangers.
LHP Joseph Ortiz assigned to Tiburones de La Guaira.
Texas Rangers recalled LHP Joseph Ortiz from Frisco RoughRiders.
Texas Rangers optioned LHP Joseph Ortiz to Frisco RoughRiders.
Joseph Ortiz roster status changed by Texas Rangers.
Texas Rangers sent LHP Joseph Ortiz on a rehab assignment to Frisco RoughRiders.
Texas Rangers sent LHP Joseph Ortiz on a rehab assignment to AZL Rangers.
Texas Rangers recalled LHP Joseph Ortiz from Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers recalled Joseph Ortiz from Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers optioned Joseph Ortiz to Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers recalled Joseph Ortiz from Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers optioned Joseph Ortiz to Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers selected the contract of Joseph Ortiz from Round Rock Express.
Texas Rangers optioned Joseph Ortiz to Round Rock Express.
Joseph Ortiz assigned to Round Rock Express from Frisco RoughRiders.
Joseph Ortiz assigned to Frisco RoughRiders from Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
LHP Joseph Ortiz assigned to Texas Rangers.
Joseph Ortiz assigned to Myrtle Beach Pelicans from Hickory Crawdads.
LHP Joseph Ortiz assigned to Texas Rangers.
Joseph Ortiz assigned to Hickory Crawdads from Bakersfield Blaze.
Joseph Ortiz assigned to Bakersfield Blaze from Hickory Crawdads.
Joseph Ortiz assigned to Hickory Crawdads from Spokane Indians.
LHP Joseph Ortiz assigned to Tiburones de La Guaira.
Joseph Ortiz assigned to Spokane Indians from Hickory Crawdads.
Joseph Ortiz roster status changed by Hickory Crawdads.
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