NEW YORK – In a minor move to bolster their pitching depth, the Yankees claimed right-hander Kaleb Ort off waivers from the Houston Astros.
Ort, who turns 34 on Feb. 5, was designated for assignment after Houston signed free agent star Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai last week.
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Across five MLB seasons with the Astros and Boston Red Sox, Ort has posted a 5.00 ERA (86 ERA-plus) in 118 games, all but two as a reliever.
Aug 21, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Kaleb Ort (63) pitches during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-Imagn Images
Last season with Houston, the 6-foot-4, 248-pound Ort pitched in a career-high 49 games, posting a 4.89 ERA and striking out 49 batters in 46 innings, with 27 walks and eight home runs allowed.
Ort’s 41.4 percent groundball rate in 2025 was a career best, and he limited right-handed batters to a .188 average and .628 OPS in 120 plate appearances.
Originally signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks as a non-drafted free agent in 2016, Ort is now in his second tour with the Yankees’ organization.
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Ort spent two seasons in the Yankees’ minor league system before the Red Sox made him a Rule 5 draft selection in December 2020.
Last month, the Yankees selected St. Louis Cardinals right-handed reliever Cade Winquest in a rare Rule 5 draft pick for the organization.
Ort could compete in spring training for a setup relief role, but the Yankees are still seeking to add pitching depth – both starters and relievers – mostly via the trade market, with camp due to open in about a month.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees claim Kaleb Ort off waivers, add to pitching depth