The Dodgers acquired Ruiz from the Athletics on Wednesday in exchange for right-hander Carlos Duran, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Ruiz has two minor-league options left and will report to Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 26-year-old has blazing speed that helped him steal 67 bases in the majors in 2023, but he's managed a career .243/.297/.343 batting line over parts of three big-league seasons and has also struggled defensively. The Dodgers will see if they're able to get more out of Ruiz than the Athletics were able to.
The Athletics designated Ruiz for assignment Sunday.
The 26-year-old was the Athletics' main return piece in the trade that sent catcher Sean Murphy (ribs) to Atlanta in 2022, but the outfielder is no longer on the 40-man roster. Ruiz stole 67 bases as a rookie in 2023 but had an underwhelming .254/.309/.345 slash line in 132 games, and he played in just 29 big-league contests last season. Ruiz will remain at Triple-A Las Vegas if he goes unclaimed on waivers.
The Athletics optioned Ruiz to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.
Ruiz once looked to be one of the more intriguing prospects in the Athletics system after he was acquired from the Brewers in December 2022. Though he led the American League with 67 steals in 2023, Ruiz slashed just .254/.309/.345 over his first full season in the big leagues and seems to have since been passed up by other outfielders on the organizational depth chart. He spent most of the 2024 season either on the injured list or stuck in a bench role with the Athletics, and Ruiz will now have to head to Triple-A to begin the 2025 campaign due to the logjam in the big-league outfield.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Esteury Ruiz: Unlikely to win roster spot
Rotowire
Ruiz is hitting just .130 (3-for-23) with one walk and no stolen bases in 12 games this spring. He appears unlikely to win a roster spot, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Ruiz is healthy after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in late September. He played just 45 games between the knee injury and a left wrist strain. He'll likely need revive his career for awhile at Triple-A before getting another chance in the big leagues.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Esteury Ruiz: Playing in spring opener
Rotowire
Ruiz (knee/wrist) is starting in left field and batting sixth in the Athletics' first game of spring training Saturday versus San Diego.
Ruiz ended last season on the 60-day IL due to a left wrist strain, and he also underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in late September. The speedy outfielder appears to have recovered from both issues during the offseason and will look to get back on track in 2025 after playing in only 45 combined contests between the majors and minors last year. Ruiz may need to have a strong camp in order to make the Athletics' Opening Day roster.
Ruiz (wrist) underwent right knee arthroscopic surgery Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
A patella tendon debridement and a chondroplasty procedure were performed on the knee. Ruiz -- who had already been ruled out for the season with a left wrist strain -- will rehab this offseason in hopes of being ready in time for spring training. The 25-year-old played 29 games for the Athletics this season, producing a .652 OPS with two homers and five steals.
1:36
2:02
1:08
1:52
2:08
8:44
1:31
1:36
8:45
1:40
9:14
0:25
9:57
2:51
2:11
0:45
10:08
9:31
8:53
8:15
