Mariners Claim RHP Kaleb Ort off Waivers from Boston
C Brian O’Keefe designated for assignment
SEATTLE, Wash. — Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Justin Hollander announced today the following roster moves:
· Kaleb Ort, RHP, claimed off waivers from Boston.
· Brian O’Keefe, C, designated for assignment.
The Mariners Major League, 40-man roster remains full at 40 players.
Ort, 31, appeared in 21 games (2 starts) with the Red Sox in 2023, going 1–2 with a 6.26 ERA (16 ER, 23.0 IP) with 9 walks and 24 strikeouts.
The right-hander spent time on the Injured List from July 7 through the end of the season with right elbow inflammation, making 3 rehab appearances with Triple-A Worcester in September.
In parts of 3 Major League seasons, all with Boston (2021–23), Ort is 2–4 with one save and a 6.27 ERA (36 ER, 51.2 IP) with 25 walks and 51 strikeouts in 47 games (2 starts). The Grand Rapids, Michigan native was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks as an undrafted free agent in 2016, was signed as a minor free agent by the New York Yankees in 2017 and was a Rule 5 Draft selection by Boston in 2020. Ort made his Major League debut on Sept. 13, 2021 at T-Mobile Park against the Mariners.
O’Keefe, 30, appeared in 8 games with Seattle in 2023, batting .105 (2x19) with 2 doubles, 2 RBI and 2 walks. He also appeared in 91 games with Triple-A Tacoma, batting .238 (84x353) with 25 doubles, 23 home runs and 67 RBI.
O’Keefe was originally selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 7th round of the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of St. Joseph’s University (PA). The Albany, New York native has spent time in the Cardinals (2014–19) and Mariners organization (2021–23). He made his Major League debut with the Mariners on Oct. 1, 2022 vs. Oakland, going 1-for-2 with a walk.
