It was a brief but promising cameo for young Detroit Tigers pitcher Jose Ortega, but the 23-year-old Venezuelan-born prospect was optioned back down to Triple-A Toledo after Sunday's win over Kansas City.
Tigers have optioned Ortega to Toledo following today's game. The club intends to recall Danny Worth from Toledo on Friday. #tigers
— Brian Britten (@BBritten_Tigers) July 8, 2012
Ortega made his Tigers debut on July 3 in a 2.1-inning performance where he struck out four batters and yielded one solo home run, but quickly blew a save in his next appearance five days later. A prospect who was dubbed by Baseball America as having the best fastball in the Tigers' system after the 2010 season, Ortega has posted an impressive 11.27 strikeouts per nine innings number against Triple-A hitters, but will need to refine his command to fool major league hitters.
Worth, who has bounced around between the minors and big leagues for much of the season, is hitting just .180 with a .270 on-base percentage in 55 at-bats with the Tigers this season. Not known for his prowess at the plate, the 26-year-old Worth will provide a solid defensive option for manager Jim Leyland that he can plug in at either third or second base.
For more on the Tigers, head over to Bless You Boys. For more MLB news and analysis, visit Baseball Nation.