Draft and minor leagues The
San Francisco Giants selected Okert in the fourth round, with the 148th overall pick, of the
2012 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut that season for the
Arizona League Giants and also played for the
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. He had a 2.20 ERA in innings. Okert played the 2013 season with the
Augusta GreenJackets, recording a 2.97 ERA with 59 strikeouts in innings. He started 2014 with the
San Jose Giants. After recording a 1.53 ERA, 19
saves and 54 strikeouts in innings, he was promoted to the Double-A
Richmond Flying Squirrels. The Giants added him to their 40-man roster after the 2015 season.
San Francisco Giants (2016–2018) Okert was called up to the
San Francisco Giants on April 19, 2016. Okert made his major league debut later that day against the
Arizona Diamondbacks. He pitched 2 scoreless innings, getting a batter to ground into a double play and recorded his first two major league strikeouts. Okert struck out in his first MLB at-bat, coming against left-handed relief pitcher
Adam Liberatore of the Dodgers. In 16 games, Okert pitched 14 innings, recording 14 strikeouts with a 3.21 ERA. Okert started the 2017 season with Triple-A Sacramento, but was called up to the Giants in April. On May 3, 2017, Okert recorded his first major league win, pitching 1 innings of scoreless relief in an extra-inning victory over the
Los Angeles Dodgers. Okert made 44 relief appearances and pitched 27 innings for the Giants during the 2017 season. In 10 appearances for the Giants in 2018, Okert logged a 1.23 ERA. Okert was
designated for assignment by the Giants on March 23, 2019, and outrighted on March 26. He spent the year in Triple-A with the
Sacramento River Cats, posting a 8–2 record and 5.31 ERA in 50 appearances with the team. On November 4, he elected free agency.
Miami Marlins (2021–2023) On February 26, 2021, Okert signed a minor league contract with the
Miami Marlins organization. He was assigned to the Triple-A
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to begin the year. In 15 appearances with Jacksonville, he logged a 2–0 record and 1.80 ERA. On June 29, Okert was selected to the active roster. He made 34 relief appearances for the Marlins, recording a 2.75 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 36 innings. Okert made 60 appearances out of the
bullpen in 2022, registering a 5–5 record and 2.98 ERA with 63 strikeouts across innings pitched. In 2023, Okert made 64 appearances for Miami and saw a slight regression in his numbers, posting a 4.45 ERA with 73 strikeouts across innings of work.
Minnesota Twins (2024) On February 11, 2024, the Marlins traded Okert to the
Minnesota Twins in exchange for
Nick Gordon. In 44 appearances for Minnesota, he compiled a 5.09 ERA with 33 strikeouts across innings pitched. Okert was
designated for assignment by the Twins on August 24. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A
St. Paul Saints on August 26. Okert elected free agency on October 1.
Houston Astros (2025–present) On November 5, 2024, Okert signed a minor league contract with the
Houston Astros. On March 27,
2025, the Astros selected Okert's contract after he made the team's
Opening Day roster. He earned his first win an Astro on April 28, 2025, when he worked a scoreless sixth inning against the
Detroit Tigers before they rallied for an 8–5 win. ==References==