The Rays signed right-hander Ramon Ortiz and assigned him to Triple A Durham, according to the transactions page for the International League. The 37-year-old pitched 30 innings for the Dodgers this year, posting a 6.30 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 4.8 BB/9.
After the Dodgers designated Ortiz for assignment, the Mets picked him up on a minor league deal. 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. He'll presumably stay in the minors until September, since the Rays have a deep rotation, even with Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis on the DL.
Hellickson is being carefully watched on his innings limit. He might not be given too many starts. I doubt Ortiz moves up but the playoffs are all about pitching depth.
If Ortiz is somehow pitching for them during the postseason, you can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.
AAA depth/September mop-up guy.
God when can he just give it up?