Russ Ortiz signs minor league deal with Yankees.

Ortiz was recently released by the Houston Astros. Via mlb.com:

Based on his struggles over the past few weeks, Russ Ortiz wasn’t surprised when the Astros gave him the news Thursday that he was being placed on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.

Ortiz was hit hard in Thursday’s 12-3 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field, giving up nine runs and nine hits in 2 1/3 innings to fall to 3-6. He was 0-5 in his last 10 starts, including 0-3 with a 12.23 ERA in five starts in July. He can clear waivers Monday and sign with another team.

Houston called up right-hander Sammy Gervacio from Triple-A Round Rock, and he will join the team Friday in St. Louis.

“At this point of the year, playing teams like this, they don’t need to send anybody out there they feel like is not going to get the job done,” Ortiz said. “I told them I understand. This is an important time of the year, and they have a couple of young guys that can throw the ball well.

“I don’t know what they’re going to do, but they didn’t obviously feel like they can keep sending me out. I don’t want to pitch like this and not have them confident in me. Even though I never wanted this to happen, it’s part of the game.”

Since August 14, 2004, to date, Russ Ortiz has pitched in 93 major league games, going 366.3 IP, and fashioning an ERA of 6.58 (over that span).

You can add Ortiz to the following list of recent Yankees clever “vet pitcher” pick-ups: Sidney Ponson, Runelvys Hernandez, Jason Johnson, Mike Thurman, Casey Fossum, Josh Towers, Rolando Arrojo, Brett Tomko, Chad Ogea, Tim Redding, Willie Banks, Jeff Juden, Donovan Osborne and Scott Erickson.

But, then again, the Red Sox just brought back Paul Byrd. So, maybe the Yankees pick-up of Ortiz is their reaction to the Sox getting Byrd – like when Cashman signed Kei Igawa to counter the Sox picking up Daisuke Matsuzaka? (Yes, I’m kidding here.)