The former All-Star signed as a non-roster invitee in 2009 after recovering the previous year from arm surgery. Ortiz made the club as a fifth starter but frustrated manager Cecil Cooper with his inability to last deep into ballgames. The righthander was released just before the trade deadline.

Stats

Pitching         W   L   PCT   ERA   G  GS  CG  SV  GF   IP     H    R    ER   BB   SO
2008             3   6  .333  5.57  23  13   0   0   3   85.2   95   56   53   48   65


Batting          G     AB    R   H   2B  3B  HR  RBI   BB   SO   SB  CS   AVG   SLG   OBA   OPS
2008             24    28    2    5   0   0   1    2    1    9    0   0  .179  .286  .207  .493

Astros Trades & Transactions

Jan 13, 2009 - Signed Russ Ortiz (P) as a free agent.

Jul 30, 2009 - Released Russ Ortiz (P).

This Date in Astros History

Feb 25, 2009 - Third base prospect Chris Johnson mashes a home run estimated at up to 600 feet in the 6-3 victory over the Washington Nationals that opens the spring schedule. Reclamation projects Mike Hampton and Russ Ortiz get off to good starts, each tossing a pair of shutout innings.

Mar 20, 2009 - After winning their first spring game of the year, the Astros fail to win their next 19 Grapefruit League contests until beating the Reds, 4-2, behind six shutout innings from Russ Ortiz. It comes the same day as the Astros sign catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez to a one-year deal. The 37-year-old Rodriguez is a 14-time All-Star with 13 Gold Gloves and fills a need as none of the other catchers in camp were hitting above .200 in spring action.