Yankees claim veteran reliever Kaleb Ort off waivers from Houston, adding MLB experience to a thinned bullpen. Betting impact: marginally stronger late-inning depth could tighten Yankees’ odds in close games and saves markets — consider slightly more confidence on Yankees moneyline in one-run games and value in saves/hold props, but bullpen inconsistency keeps risk for bettors.
Yankees Claim Kaleb Ort to Bolster Shaky Bullpen
The New York Yankees added right-handed reliever Kaleb Ort off waivers from the Houston Astros, marking the club’s first 2026 offseason transaction. Ort, a nearly 34-year-old with big-league experience, arrives after two seasons in Houston and three earlier seasons in Boston. The move gives the Yankees another experienced arm as they try to plug holes created over the winter.
Kaleb Ort: Career Snapshot and 2025 Performance
Ort made a brief MLB debut in 2021 and logged more significant innings with the Red Sox, appearing in 25 games (28.1 innings) in 2022 and 21 games (23 innings) in 2024. The Astros converted him to a full-time reliever in 2024. His heaviest workload came in 2025: 49 games, 46 innings, a 4.89 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Those numbers show durability but also inconsistencies that the Yankees’ staff will aim to refine.
Bullpen Turnover and Yankees’ Offseason Context
New York’s relief corps took hits this offseason with departures of Devin Williams and Luke Weaver in free agency. At the 2025 trade deadline the Yankees added David Bednar, Camilo Doval and Jake Bird; Bednar has since settled into the closer’s role, while Doval’s numbers dipped after the trade and Bird spent time at Triple-A. Ort’s addition is a low-risk veteran pickup meant to expand late-inning options rather than serve as a marquee fix.
Why the Move Matters for Opening Day
Blown saves and shaky late-inning performance were persistent problems in 2025. With Opening Night approaching at Oracle Park, any swing-arm the Yankees can trust matters. Ort brings experience and innings that could be valuable through spring training and into the regular season, but the club still needs more reliable high-leverage arms and possibly another starter or a big bat, depending on how offseason targets develop.
Betting Implications and What Punters Should Watch
Ort’s arrival slightly improves bullpen depth, which has direct implications for several betting markets: - Moneyline in one-run games: Slightly better late-inning depth can marginally reduce risk on Yankees moneyline bets in close contests. - Saves market and closer props: With Bednar established as closer, look to Bednar’s save props for defined roles; Ort is more likely to influence holds than saves. - In-play and late-inning props: Expect more trust in matchups beyond the seventh inning, but inconsistency means volatility remains; avoid overconfidence in reliever-based parlays. Monitor spring performance and bullpen usage patterns — how Ort is deployed in March will shape value for early-season bets.
What’s Next for Ort and the Yankees
Ort will report to spring training hoping to earn a meaningful role. For the Yankees, this is a depth play that addresses immediate needs but doesn’t eliminate the club’s broader bullpen questions. Punters and analysts should track spring leverage usage, additional offseason signings, and how Bednar’s closer role settles before adjusting longer-term wagers.
The New York Yankees hope to bolster their bullpen with a new waiver claim.
Si
