Ex-Red Sox Fireballer Reportedly DFA'd As Roller Coaster Offseason Continues
One former member of the Boston Red Sox certainly has had a roller coaster of an offseason.
Former Red Sox pitcher Kaleb Ort spent parts of each of the last three seasons at the big league level with Boston. He struggled in 2023 and had a 6.26 ERA in 21 appearances to go along with a 24-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Ort was placed on waivers by the Red Sox in October and was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners. He didn't spend much time with the Mariners and was claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins in December.
Miami designated Ort for assignment in early February and the Philadelphia Phillies claimed him. He now will be looking for a new home, though, as he was reportedly designated for assignment by Philadelphia, according to The Athletic's Matt Gelb.
"Whit Merrifield will wear No. 9," Gelb said. "Phillies are DFAing Kaleb Ort, a recent waiver claim, to clear a 40-man spot. First full-squad workout is today. It stopped raining."
Ort is just 32 years old and at this rate, it wouldn't be surprising to see him get another chance soon. If he clears waivers and opts for free agency, it wouldn't be surprising to see him land a minor league deal with a club.
The righty has a blistering fastball and saw success in the minors last season. Ort had a 1.54 ERA in 13 appearances with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox.
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