The New York Yankees made a subtle but noteworthy roster move on Friday, claiming a right-handed pitcher off waivers from the Houston Astros as part of their ongoing effort to strengthen organizational pitching depth.

In an offseason that has been unusually quiet by Yankees standards, the acquisition of Kaleb Ort may not dominate headlines, but it reflects a calculated approach to addressing bullpen depth ahead of spring training.

The Yankees officially announced that they claimed Ort, a veteran reliever with experience across multiple organizations, signaling their interest in adding low-risk pitching options capable of filling middle-relief roles if needed.

While New York continues to be linked to high-profile stars through free agency and trade rumors, moves like this demonstrate that the front office remains focused on improving the margins of the roster.

Depth has often been a determining factor in long seasons, particularly for teams with championship aspirations, and the Yankees are clearly mindful of avoiding bullpen shortages that have hurt them in recent years.

Kaleb Ort, now 33 years old, enters the Yankees organization with a career defined by persistence, fluctuation, and a willingness to adapt to different roles as opportunities have presented themselves.

Ort originally began his Major League career with the Boston Red Sox, where he spent parts of three seasons from 2021 through 2023 while moving between the major league roster and the minor leagues.

His first taste of Major League action came in 2021, when Ort appeared in just one game, a brief debut that offered limited opportunity to showcase his abilities at the highest level.

The following two seasons, however, brought more consistent usage, as Ort became a regular bullpen option for Boston during the 2022 and 2023 campaigns.

Despite increased opportunities, Ort struggled to find sustained success, posting elevated earned run averages and encountering difficulties with command that prevented him from securing a long-term role.

Those challenges ultimately led to a change of scenery, as Ort departed Boston in search of a fresh opportunity to reset his career trajectory.

That opportunity arrived in 2024 with the Houston Astros, an organization known for its ability to maximize pitcher effectiveness through analytics and targeted usage.

Ort made his Astros debut during the 2024 season and delivered one of the strongest stretches of his professional career, posting a 2.55 ERA across 22 appearances out of the bullpen.

The Astros primarily deployed Ort in middle-relief situations, allowing him to focus on shorter stints rather than extended high-leverage roles, a strategy that appeared to suit his skill set.

Encouraged by that performance, Houston increased Ort’s workload during the 2025 season, relying on him more frequently as bullpen injuries and scheduling demands accumulated.

Ort responded by appearing in a career-high 49 games, demonstrating durability and availability, two traits highly valued by teams navigating the grind of a full MLB season.

However, with increased usage came some regression, as Ort finished the 2025 campaign with a 4.89 ERA, reflecting inconsistency despite the expanded role.

Even so, his willingness to take the ball and handle frequent appearances maintained his standing as a viable bullpen option, particularly in innings where teams seek stability rather than dominance.

For the Yankees, claiming Ort off waivers represents an opportunity to evaluate a seasoned arm without making a significant financial or prospect-based investment.

New York’s bullpen currently includes several established relief options, such as David Bednar, Camilo Doval, and Fernando Cruz.

While those pitchers form the core of the relief unit, the Yankees have openly acknowledged the need for additional middle-relief depth to manage workloads across a long season.

Ort could realistically compete for one of those roles, particularly if he demonstrates command and consistency during spring training evaluations.

Although the Yankees have expressed interest in adding another left-handed reliever, right-handed options like Ort still play an important role in balancing matchups and protecting late-inning arms.

In the American League East, bullpen depth often becomes a decisive factor, given the offensive firepower present throughout the division.

New York’s recent seasons have shown how bullpen fatigue or instability can derail even talented rosters, reinforcing the importance of proactive depth management.

Ort’s experience pitching for multiple high-pressure organizations may help him adjust quickly to the expectations that come with wearing a Yankees uniform.

The scrutiny in New York is intense, and pitchers without mental resilience often struggle, regardless of their physical tools.

From a strategic standpoint, Ort’s presence allows the Yankees to experiment during spring training without forcing young arms into high-leverage situations prematurely.

As spring training approaches, New York is expected to remain active, with league insiders anticipating at least one significant move to further bolster the roster.

The Yankees have been repeatedly linked to prominent names on the market, including Cody Bellinger, whose versatility and power could address multiple lineup needs.

Additionally, trade speculation has connected the Yankees to Bo Bichette, should the team decide to pursue an infield upgrade through negotiation rather than free agency.

Despite those rumors, the front office appears intent on maintaining financial flexibility while evaluating internal options before committing to blockbuster deals.

In that context, incremental acquisitions like Ort provide roster insurance while preserving the ability to pivot quickly if market conditions change.

Ort himself enters this opportunity with minimal external pressure, aware that his role will be determined by performance rather than reputation.

A strong spring showing could secure him a bullpen spot, while even a marginal contribution would still validate the Yankees’ low-risk claim.

For pitchers like Ort, late-career opportunities often hinge on fit rather than raw talent, and New York may offer the structure he needs to succeed.

The Yankees, meanwhile, will closely monitor how Ort adapts to their pitching philosophy, coaching staff, and defensive alignment.

As spring training draws closer, New York will remain one of the most closely watched teams in baseball, both for headline-grabbing rumors and under-the-radar roster decisions.

Kaleb Ort may not command national attention, but in a championship-caliber roster, reliable depth pieces frequently play pivotal roles.

Whether Ort becomes a contributor or merely organizational depth, his arrival underscores the Yankees’ methodical approach to building a complete, resilient pitching staff for the season ahead.