Astros pitcher Oliver Ortega undergoes surgery, out 3 to 4 months

HOUSTON – Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Oliver Ortega has undergone surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow.

General Manager Dana Brown provided the announcement on Thursday. According to a club release, Ortega is expected to be out of action for approximately 3 to 4 months.

Ortega, 27, 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. The Nagua, Dominican Republic native joined the Astros after being claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on Oct. 25, 2023.

Previously, Ortega 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. The player 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), 58 strikeouts, and one save.