by Ken Rosenthal

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Then you have to check out this week's version of MLB Power Rankings. Why? Cause you never know where that crazy Aram Tolegian will rank your team.

Yankees Class AAA right-hander Russ Ortiz has exercised his right to become a free agent, according to his agent, John Boggs.

Ortiz, 35, had the right to become a free agent if the Yankees did not promote him to the majors after three starts.

He made his third start for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, allowing three runs in four innings after pitching 13 scoreless innings in his previous two starts.

Ortiz was 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA for SWB after going 3-6 with a 5.57 ERA for the Astros, who released him on July 30.

The Yankees, unable to currently offer Ortiz a spot on their major-league roster, asked him to remain in their organization. But Ortiz wants to be part of a contender and return to the postseason, Boggs said.

The Dodgers are among the contenders in need of a starter; they had a "bullpen day" last Wednesday in the final game of their series against the Giants, and right-hander Hiroki Kuroda is unlikely to make his next start after getting struck in the head by a line drive Saturday.