Ramón Ortiz
Encyclopedia
Ramón Diógenes Ortiz is a Dominican
professional baseball
pitcher
. He has previously pitched in Major League Baseball
for the Anaheim Angels
, Cincinnati Reds
, Washington Nationals
, Minnesota Twins
, Colorado Rockies
, Los Angeles Dodgers
, Tampa Bay Rays
and Chicago Cubs
as well as the Orix Buffaloes
of Nippon Professional Baseball.
in 1995. He made his Major League debut on August 19, 1999, when he started for the Angels against the Chicago White Sox
. He pitched eight innings, allowing four hits and one run to pick up the victory. His best season was 2002, when he went 15-9 with a 3.77 ERA
for the Angels. He earned the win in Game 3 of the 2002 World Series
against the San Francisco Giants
. In 2003, he set a career high with 16 victories.
for Dustin Moseley
. He went 9-11 with a 5.36 ERA in 30 starts for the Reds.
as a free agent prior to the 2006 season. On September 4, 2006, he took a no-hitter
into the 9th inning against the Cardinals
before having it broken up by the first batter in the 9th, Aaron Miles
. Ortiz also hit his first career home run
in the same game. It was a solo shot off of St. Louis reliever
Jorge Sosa
. Ortiz was three outs away from becoming the third no-hit pitcher in Major League Baseball who had homered in the same game, joining Earl Wilson (1962) and Rick Wise
(1971).
and Boof Bonser
and ahead of Sidney Ponson
and Carlos Silva. However, after a disappointing start to the season, Ortiz was moved to the bullpen.
in return for minor leaguer Matt Macri
. He appeared in relief in 10 games for the Rockies and then became a free agent
following the season.
of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He started 17 games for Orix and was 4-7 with a 5.82 ERA.
. He spent the season with the AAA Fresno Grizzlies
, going 5-4 with a 3.05 ERA in 35 games (16 starts).
prior to the 2010 season, with an invitation to spring training. After good performances in spring training games, Ortiz was added to the Dodgers Major League roster to start the season. He picked up his first win since 2007 with a relief performance on May 1. On May 15, 2010 Ortiz started for the Dodgers against the San Diego Padres
, his first major league start since May 26, 2007. He was designated for assignment on May 27, and on June 3, he was released.
on June 22. Ortiz pitched well for the Mets' Triple A affiliate, posting a 3.94 ERA with 6.0 K/9 and 1.5 BB/9 in Buffalo.
signed him and assigned him to Triple A Durham Bulls
. He made 4 starts for Durham, and was 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA.
signed Ortiz to a minor league deal. He had his contract purchased by the Cubs on July 5.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
. He has previously pitched in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for the Anaheim Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
and Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
as well as the Orix Buffaloes
Orix Buffaloes
The are a Nippon Professional Baseball team based in Osaka and Kobe, Japan. They play in the Pacific League. The team is owned by the Orix Group, a leading diversified financial services company based in Tokyo....
of Nippon Professional Baseball.
Anaheim Angels
Ortiz was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Anaheim AngelsLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
in 1995. He made his Major League debut on August 19, 1999, when he started for the Angels against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. He pitched eight innings, allowing four hits and one run to pick up the victory. His best season was 2002, when he went 15-9 with a 3.77 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
for the Angels. He earned the win in Game 3 of the 2002 World Series
2002 World Series
The 2002 World Series was a best-of-seven playoff series to determine the champion of Major League Baseball for the 2002 season. It was the 98th such contest between the champions of the American League and National League , and featured the AL champion Anaheim Angels against the NL champion San...
against the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. In 2003, he set a career high with 16 victories.
Cincinnati Reds
On December 14, 2004, Ortiz was traded by the Angels to the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Dustin Moseley
Dustin Moseley
Dustin Aaron Moseley is an American Major League Baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres.-Career:Moseley was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. Prior to the season, he was ranked by Baseball America as the fourth best prospect in the...
. He went 9-11 with a 5.36 ERA in 30 starts for the Reds.
Washington Nationals
Ortiz signed with the Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
as a free agent prior to the 2006 season. On September 4, 2006, he took a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
into the 9th inning against the Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
before having it broken up by the first batter in the 9th, Aaron Miles
Aaron Miles
Aaron Wade Miles is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Houston Astros:Miles was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 1995 amateur draft...
. Ortiz also hit his first career home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
in the same game. It was a solo shot off of St. Louis reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
Jorge Sosa
Jorge Sosa
Jorge Bolivar Sosa is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent. Sosa stands at 6'2" tall and reportedly weighs 218 pounds...
. Ortiz was three outs away from becoming the third no-hit pitcher in Major League Baseball who had homered in the same game, joining Earl Wilson (1962) and Rick Wise
Rick Wise
Richard Charles Wise is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for 18 seasons...
(1971).
Minnesota Twins
On January 19, 2007, Ortiz signed with the Minnesota Twins for a one-year deal worth $3.1 million dollars. Ortiz began the season as the third starter, behind Johan SantanaJohan Santana
Johan Alexander Santana Araque is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who is currently playing for the New York Mets. He is a native of Venezuela....
and Boof Bonser
Boof Bonser
Boof Bonser is a professional American baseball player. He is currently a pitcher in the New York Mets organization of Major League Baseball.-High school career:...
and ahead of Sidney Ponson
Sidney Ponson
Sidney Alton Ponson is a Major League pitcher who is currently a free agent. According to the Atlantic League website Ponson was placed on the "Retired" list as of June 18, 2010. Ponson stands at 6'1" tall and weighs 260 pounds. He throws right-handed...
and Carlos Silva. However, after a disappointing start to the season, Ortiz was moved to the bullpen.
Colorado Rockies
On August 15, 2007, Ortiz was traded to the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
in return for minor leaguer Matt Macri
Matt Macri
Matthew Michael Macri is a Major League Baseball player who plays third base.Macri graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in 2001 and went to the University of Notre Dame. He played ball there briefly his Freshman year before undergoing Tommy John surgery...
. He appeared in relief in 10 games for the Rockies and then became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
following the season.
Orix Buffaloes
On April 1, 2008, Ortiz was signed by the Orix BuffaloesOrix Buffaloes
The are a Nippon Professional Baseball team based in Osaka and Kobe, Japan. They play in the Pacific League. The team is owned by the Orix Group, a leading diversified financial services company based in Tokyo....
of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He started 17 games for Orix and was 4-7 with a 5.82 ERA.
San Francisco Giants
On February 10, 2009, Ortiz signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. He spent the season with the AAA Fresno Grizzlies
Fresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a minor league baseball team based in Fresno, California. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League , is the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club. The Grizzlies play in Chukchansi Park , located in downtown Fresno and built in 2002...
, going 5-4 with a 3.05 ERA in 35 games (16 starts).
Los Angeles Dodgers
He signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
prior to the 2010 season, with an invitation to spring training. After good performances in spring training games, Ortiz was added to the Dodgers Major League roster to start the season. He picked up his first win since 2007 with a relief performance on May 1. On May 15, 2010 Ortiz started for the Dodgers against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, his first major league start since May 26, 2007. He was designated for assignment on May 27, and on June 3, he was released.
New York Mets
Ortiz signed a minor league contract with the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
on June 22. Ortiz pitched well for the Mets' Triple A affiliate, posting a 3.94 ERA with 6.0 K/9 and 1.5 BB/9 in Buffalo.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
signed him and assigned him to Triple A Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
. He made 4 starts for Durham, and was 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA.
Chicago Cubs
On April 10, 2011, the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
signed Ortiz to a minor league deal. He had his contract purchased by the Cubs on July 5.