Rafael Ortega (outfielder), who drew attention by following Hanwha Eagles’ official Instagram, will wear the New York Mets uniform.
The U.S. sports media 토토사이트 “MLB Trade Lumus” reported on the 17th (Korea Standard Time) that “The Mets signed a minor league contract with outfielder Rafael Ortega.”
Ortega signed with the New York Yankees this season and participated in the spring camp, but was not included in the opening roster. Since then, he has signed with the Texas Rangers and played 44 games in Triple-A Round Rock with a batting average of .226 (38 hits in 168 at-bats), 5 home runs, 26 RBIs, and 31 runs scored.
Making his big league debut in 2012, ortega played for the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago Cubs.
Until last year, he played in 364 games and scored a batting average of .25 (26 hits in 1,022 at-bats), 21 home runs, 101 RBIs, and 120 runs. In 2021, he had a career-high season with a .241 batting average (86 hits in 206 at-bats) and 11 home runs and 33 RBIs in 103 games for the Chicago Cubs.
Ortega recently attracted attention by following Hanwha’s official Instagram. There was speculation that he might wear a Hanwha uniform as a substitute for foreign hitter Brian O’Gredi, but he got a chance to extend his active career in the Mets.