New York Mets Sign Anthony Gose and Luis Ortiz to Minor League Deals

The New York Mets bolstered their pitching depth on Friday afternoon, signing two intriguing arms to minor league contracts.

Jun 28, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Anthony Gose (26) delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images / David Richard-Imagn Images

While fans await the free-agent decisions of Pete Alonso, Sean Manaea, and other big names, the New York Mets have once again added to their pitching depth.

On Friday afternoon, MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo reported that the Mets signed left-hander Anthony Gose and right-hander Luis F. Ortiz to minor league contracts. Both relievers received non-roster invitations to spring training, although Ortiz will be rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.

The Mets have minor league deals with two more pitchers, per sources: Anthony Gose and Luis Ortiz. Camp invites for both.

Gose, an ex-OF, has appeared in 31 MLB games on the mound since 2021.

Ortiz is a former first-round pick who's been in the Phillies org the past two years.

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) December 20, 2024

Gose, 34, a former second-round pick, began his career as an outfielder, spending five seasons in the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers from 2012 to 2016. In 2017, he transitioned to the mound, working his way through the minors with three different organizations.

He also represented Team USA on the 2020 Olympic team before making his major league pitching debut with the Cleveland Guardians in September 2021.

Over parts of three seasons with Cleveland (2021, 2022, and 2024), Gose has posted a 4.78 ERA (4.69 FIP) and a 1.34 WHIP in 32 innings of relief, striking out 11.5 batters per nine innings. He features an upper-90s fastball and an 87 mph slider, though both pitches are still a work in progress.

Out of minor league options, Gose was designated for assignment multiple times last season but remained with Cleveland for the entire year after going unclaimed on waivers.

He allowed five earned runs in 4.1 innings at the major league level, but at Triple-A Columbus, he posted a 3.22 ERA and 1.37 WHIP while generating an eye-popping 54.5% whiff rate over 44.2 innings.

Anthony Gose has a wild story

Almost in Syndergaard-Dickey trade
Big CF prospect, debuted in 2012
Flamed out
Came back as pitcher in 2017
Fastball touched 100 MPH
On Olympic team in 2020
Got back to majors
Flashed, then TJ Surgery late 2022

Slider still nasty, fun one for Mets pic.twitter.com/i8LO5IETZC

— James Schiano (@James_Schiano) December 20, 2024

Ortiz, 29, was drafted 30th overall by the Texas Rangers in 2014. After being traded twice, in deals headlined by Jonathan Lucroy and Jonathan Schoop, he made his MLB debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2018.

In 24 major league appearances, Ortiz owns a 4.76 ERA, a 1.71 WHIP, and a 6.6 K/9 rate over 34 innings. He throws a low-to-mid 90s sinker and four-seamer, along with a sweeper and a curveball.

Ortiz’s most productive stint in the majors came with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023, when he struck out 16 batters and posted a 3.32 ERA in 19 innings.

He made just one appearance with the Phillies in 2024 before undergoing Tommy John surgery in July, making it unlikely that he will return until the latter part of next season, if at all.

Earlier this offseason, New York added right-handers Dylan Covey, Chris Devenski, Justin Hagenman, and Hobie Harris, creating significant competition for the limited bullpen spots in spring training.

The Mets also signed starters Frankie Montas, Clay Holmes, and Griffin Canning to major league deals, with the latter two being candidates to shift to the bullpen if they cannot secure rotation spots.