Russ Ortiz has opted out of his minor-league deal with the New York Yankees, sez Smiley Rosenthal:
Ortiz was 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA for SWB after going 3-6 with a 5.57 ERA for the Astros, who released him on July 30.
The Yankees, unable to currently offer Ortiz a spot on their major-league roster, asked him to remain in their organization. But Ortiz wants to be part of a contender and return to the postseason, Boggs said.
The Dodgers are among the contenders in need of a starter; they had a "bullpen day" last Wednesday in the final game of their series against the Giants, and right-hander Hiroki Kuroda is unlikely to make his next start after getting struck in the head by a line drive Saturday.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
