| Kaleb Ort | |
|---|---|
 Ort with thePulaski Yankees in 2017 | |
| Houston Astros – No. 63 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1992-02-05)February 5, 1992 (age 33) Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 13, 2021, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| MLB statistics (through September 2, 2024) | |
| Win–loss record | 3–5 |
| Earned run average | 5.08 |
| Strikeouts | 68 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
Kaleb James Ort (born February 5, 1992) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theHouston Astros ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theBoston Red Sox. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 240 pounds (110 kg), he throws and bats right-handed.
Ort grew up inLowell, Michigan, and playedcollege baseball atAquinas College inGrand Rapids, Michigan; however he was not selected in theMLB draft.[1]
On October 7, 2015, Ort signed with theJoliet Slammers of theindependentFrontier League.[2] In his first professional season, he appeared in 20 games, starting 12, and posted a 3-4 record and 6.05 ERA with 61 strikeouts in as many innings pitched.
On September 23, 2016, Ort signed a minor league contract with theArizona Diamondbacks.[3] However, he did not make an appearance for the organization before he was released on March 21, 2017.[4] After returning to Joliet, he made one appearance for the team in 2017, tossing two scoreless innings and striking out three.[3]
On May 16, 2017, Ort signed a minor league contract with theNew York Yankees organization. He spent the remainder of the season split between the rookie-levelPulaski Yankees and the Low-AStaten Island Yankees, accumulating a 3-0 record and 1.38 ERA with 39 strikeouts and 10 saves in 26.0 innings pitched. In 2018, Ort made 35 appearances between the High-ATampa Tarpons and Double-ATrenton Thunder, working to a combined 2-2 record and 3.74 ERA with 69 strikeouts and 3 saves in 55.1 innings pitched.
Ort played the 2019 season with Staten Island, Trenton, and the Triple-AScranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, pitching to a 6-0 record and 3.40 ERA with 78 strikeouts and 4 saves in 50.1 innings of work. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[5]
On December 10, 2020, Ort was selected by theBoston Red Sox during the minor-league phase of theRule 5 draft.[3] Ort opened the 2021 season in Triple-A with theWorcester Red Sox.[3] On September 10, the Red Sox added Ort to their active roster.[6] He made his major-league debut on September 13; pitching in relief against theSeattle Mariners, he allowed one hit and no runs in1⁄3 of an inning.[7] Ort was returned to Worcester, and removed from the40-man roster, on September 14.[8] In 42 relief appearances with Worcester, Ort recorded 19saves with a 2.98earned run average (ERA) while striking out 62 batters in45+1⁄3innings pitched.[9]
Ort returned to Worcester to begin the 2022 season, pitching out of the bullpen as acloser.[9] He was added to Boston's active roster on July 9,[10] and made his first MLB appearance of the season the next day.[11] He split time between Worcester and Boston during August,[12] and spent almost all of September with Boston.[13] On September 29, Ort recorded his first MLBsave by pitching a scoreless ninth inning against theBaltimore Orioles.[14] In 25 relief appearances with Boston, Ort pitched to a 1–2 record with one save and a 6.35 ERA while striking out 27 batters in28+1⁄3 innings.[15]
Ort began the 2023 season on Boston's major-league roster, and worked out of the bullpen until being optioned to Worcester on April 30.[16] He was briefly with Boston in early May[17] and early June,[18] then recalled on June 18 whenTanner Houck was placed on the injured list.[19] Ort was placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation on July 7,[20] and transferred to the 60–day IL on July 26.[21] On October 11, Ort was removed from the 40–man roster and placed on outright waivers.[22]
On October 13, 2023, Ort was claimed off waivers by theSeattle Mariners.[23] On December 2, he was again claimed off waivers, this time by theMiami Marlins. The Marlins subsequently designated him for assignment on February 7, 2024,[24] and he was claimed off waivers for a third time on February 13, by thePhiladelphia Phillies.[25] The Phillies designated him for assignment themselves on February 19[26] and he was traded to theBaltimore Orioles for cash considerations later that day.[27] He was optioned to the Triple–ANorfolk Tides to begin the 2024 season.[28] Ort earned a save when he,Chayce McDermott and Nolan Hoffman achieved acombined no-hitter in a 2–0 Tides away win over theNashville Sounds on May 3.[29] In 14 games for Norfolk, he struggled to a 12.08 ERA with 16 strikeouts across12+2⁄3 innings pitched.
On May 28, 2024, Ort was claimed off waivers by theHouston Astros.[30]