Angels’ Rafael Ortega gets another shot at making it in the big leagues

In recent seasons, the New York Yankees gained a reputation for adding an avenue to their long-held strategy of outbidding the other 29 major league teams for talent.

Instead of paying more for aging big league veterans, they sought minor league free agents with potential. It was significantly less sexy but arguably an effective adjustment.

In his off-season search to add depth to an organization devoid of it, new Angels General Manager Billy Eppler borrowed a trick from his previous team and signed outfielder Rafael Ortega to a major league contract.

Ortega, 24, had once been considered a future big league regular. He didn’t have power, but he had speed, a knack for getting on base and a strong throwing arm, so the Colorado Rockies called him up at age 21. But the next season, he suffered a fractured shin, and he has not yet recovered his prospect status.

As a minor league free agent, Ortega picked the Angels among several suitors because they offered a guaranteed spot on their 40-man roster and a significant salary even if he plays in the minor leagues.

If he spends the season on the major league roster, Ortega would make the big league minimum of $507,500. If he never makes the major league roster, Ortega will still make $175,000 — more than twice what he would have made on a standard minor league contract. The Chicago Cubs made a competitive offer but would not commit to placing him on their 40-man, Ortega said.

Ortega has thrown out two runners on the bases in early spring-training action, earning praise from Angels Manager Mike Scioscia, who said the outfielder is “as billed,” with strong defensive abilities and an understanding of situational hitting.

“He’s showed very well the first handful of games,” Scioscia said. “He certainly has a chance to win a spot on our club.”

Ortega said he takes a simple approach to hitting: He aims to hit the ball to the opposite field.

“Being patient helps me a lot,” Ortega said. “Because I’m the guy who has to hit at the bottom or the top of the lineup. I have to be on base or I’m not going to make the lineup.”

Ortega met Angels catcher Carlos Perez in 2007, when they were 16 and auditioning for MLB teams in their native Venezuela. Perez signed four weeks before Ortega; now, they have lockers across a corridor from each other at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Pujols on track

When the Angels arrived at spring training, Scioscia said he was hopeful but unsure of Albert Pujols’ status for the beginning of the regular season.

Pujols says he already knew he would be ready.

It was initially thought Pujols’ return to baseball activities would be about 4 1/2 months after he underwent foot surgery in November. On Sunday, Pujols played his first Cactus League game ahead of schedule, and he appeared in the Angels’ lineup again Monday without complications. Both times he was the designated hitter.

“I felt like I have good balance,” Pujols said. “I felt strong in my leg and no pain at all. Now it’s just pacing myself until I get my foot and my leg stronger, and just continuing my workouts.”

Opening day is four weeks away, and by then Pujols could be fit to play first base. He said he’s already doing drills at the same speed he would in games, without any setbacks.

“It’s great to be in the game and have good results,” Pujols said. “But, the workouts, what I do in the cage and when I’m doing my batting practice, that’s more important than the game in spring training. In the games, you want to have success and feel good about it, but if you don’t you just take it to the cage. These games don’t count.”

Short hops

Closer Huston Street has been hindered by what Scioscia called left calf tightness. Street has pitched against minor league hitters but will not pitch in a game until he can participate in fielding drills. … The Angels reassigned five players to minor league camp, including their 2015 first-round draft pick, catcher Taylor Ward. … Outfielder Todd Cunningham said he will resume taking batting practice Tuesday after missing the weekend with a minor wrist sprain. …The Angels signed right-hander Josh Roenicke to a minor league deal. Roenicke, who has a career 4.17 earned-run average in 190 MLB appearances, is the nephew of Angels third-base coach Ron Roenicke.

pedro.moura@latimes.com

Twitter: @pedromoura