News - The Brewers are anticipating a major comeback for Ortiz in 2026.

Joey Ortiz, the Milwaukee Brewers' infielder, is preparing for a major comeback in the 2026 MLB season. After initially making a strong impression in 2024 following his trade from the Baltimore Orioles during the Corbin Burnes exchange, Ortiz quickly stood out, earning an NL Rookie of the Month Award and achieving an impressive .800 OPS in his first half-season. However, his performance declined in 2025, with his batting statistics showing a considerable drop, resulting in a .609 OPS, which ranked him 228th among MLB hitters with a minimum of 500 plate appearances after the All-Star break in 2024. Despite these setbacks, the Brewers remain hopeful about Ortiz's potential to recover, emphasizing his outstanding defensive abilities as a constant benefit to the team's lineup. They believe that his previous decline only increases the potential for an outstanding 2026 season. In 2024, Ortiz's statistical contributions highlighted a .239/.329/.398 slash line with 11 home runs, 60 RBIs, and a noteworthy 2.7 bWAR, but these numbers dropped sharply in 2025 to a .230/.276/.317 line. Nonetheless, with his contract secured until at least after the 2026 season and no arbitration eligibility until later, the Brewers are relying on Ortiz to be a crucial component in their quest for success in the coming years, combining his offensive and defensive strengths into a potentially All-Star caliber season.