The New York Mets lost some outfield depth on Thursday.
The 34-year old veteran Rafael Ortega has opted-out of his contract with the Mets' organization to seek a new opportunity elsewhere, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
Ortega had a clause in his minor league contract allowing him to leave if he hadn't been called up.
He now becomes a free agent and can sign with any team.
Ortega originally played for the Mets in 2023. He had 136 MLB plate appearances that season and batted .219.
MORE: Twins' Ryan Fitzgerald reminds us why we love sports after a career spent in the minor leagues
The lefty-swinger has appeared in parts of eight seasons in the big leagues.
He made his debut all the way back in 2012 with two games for the Rockies.
Ortega didn't get back until 2016 with the Angels for 66 games.
In 2018, he played for the Marlins, and then in 2019 for the Braves.
Ortega's best season came in 2021 for the Cubs, when he batted .291 with 11 homers in 103 games.
MORE: Is this the worst throw in MLB history?
He spent the following campaign with the Cubs, too, then went to the Mets for his 47 games in 2023.
In 2024, Ortega appeared in 14 games for the putrid White Sox.
This season, Ortega has missed most of the campaign with a hamstring campaign.
He returned to Triple-A Syracuse earlier this month, but has played in only four of the nine games since his reinstatement.
Ortega is a .286 career hitter at the Triple-A level. Some team out there will surely appreciate his contact and speed as a depth option, but it won't be the Mets.
MORE MLB NEWS:
- Blue Jays' Ernie Clement missed a bunt sign, and it worked out just fine
- Angels turn a triple play against Shohei Ohtani
- Reds openly flirting with Kyle Schwarber before free agency
- Jose Ramirez's legend grows with comparison to Aaron Judge
- Justin Verlander makes decision on his retirement plans
- Yankees are paying 3 players a combined $43.8 million to not play for them