Report: RHP Ortiz expected to start Tuesday against Rockies

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UPDATE: The Pirates say Oritz has joined the team's taxi squad.

According to Pirates insider Jason Mackey, of the Post-Gazette, pitcher Luis Ortiz is in town.

Mackey says a source tells him the “expectation is for him to start Tuesday” against the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park.

Cruz started in four games toward the end of last season, going 0-2 with an ERA of 4.50 over 16 innings pitched.

He has 17 strikeouts and 10 walks, giving up eight earned runs.

So far this season, Ortiz is 2-1 in Triple-A Indianapolis with a 2.23 ERA over seven starts.

In 32.1 innings, Ortiz has struck out 29 and walked 11.

Ortiz is taking the spot of Vince Velasquez, who went on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow injury.

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