The Orioles have designated infielder Rio Ruiz for assignment and selected the contract of infielder/outfielder Stevie Wilkerson, per a club announcement.
The 26-year-old Ruiz was a 2012 fourth-rounder of the Astros and a prospect of some note in both the Astros and Braves organizations. Baltimore claimed him off waivers from Atlanta in the 2018-19 offseason and has given him a fairly lengthy look in the infield, but to this point, Ruiz simply hasn’t capitalized on that opportunity.
Dating back to 2019, Ruiz is hitting just .220/.292/.380 through 718 plate appearances. The O’s have given him some run at each infield position other than shortstop, but he hasn’t been able to string together a particularly productive stretch. The 2021 season, in particular, has been a tough one for Ruiz, who is batting just .167/.250/.300 through 101 trips to the plate. The Orioles will have a week to trade Ruiz or pass him through outright waivers.
The 29-year-old Wilkerson is a familiar face for O’s fans, having spent parts of two seasons in a utility role for Baltimore. He’s a a .219/.279/.365 hitter in 410 plate appearances and has played every spot on the diamond other than catcher and first base — including 5 1/3 innings of mop-up duty on the mound in 2019.
Hate to see anyone lose their job. Rio just couldn’t put it together. Should be happy he had a fair shot in the bigs. Hopefully he can figure it out.
Rio Ruiz, another former great, future HOF Brave.
Seems like you’re reaching a little since he last played for the Braves in 2018.
I’m sure the Pirates will claim him
Gotta be better than the guy they just claimed from the Cubs.
Just say no AA…. We don’t need a Braves reunion.
He’d be an improvement if they DFA Camargo to put him on the 25 man roster.
Valaika should’ve gone first tbh
They both need to go. Glad they sent Urias down.
If Jahmai Jones wasn’t on the IL, he would have gotten the call until Rylan Bannon is ready in a couple of months. But alas, we get Stevie again. I’d assume Valaika (unfortunately) will be getting the bulk of the starts in the interim. This DFA was long overdue.
like valaika but he needs to be dfa soon
I hate to do this to you, put nah Jones wasn’t gonna get called up and here’s why.: Jones had one great game on 5/4, 2 triples and 1 homer. Take that one game away and he is batting 0.117 with an OPS of 0.462. So no, nope, nadda, Jones wasn’t getting called up…your DFA is long over due too bruh…
Ah, he sucked for a whole 5 games! Great to see you again!
Goes to Rays and Wins batting title.
so long, Big River
Same ****, different day. I’ll believe a “rebuild” when they stop recycling duds like Wilkerson.
Take a look at AA, A, and A- levels. Orioles apologize the rebuild isn’t progressing to your satisfaction, but winning pct has improved every year so far since Buck and Dan left.
I’ve followed the Orioles for a long time and the Orioles are almost always 3 years away from contending. According to the pundits they always have so much talent in the minors, so many Next Jim Palmers especially.
2018 they had 47 wins, then 54, then on pace for 60-61 last year and 66 this year, wow they’ll crack .500 around 2027 or 2028.
While Chris Davis is still allowed in the clubhouse, the latest “rebuild” can’t be taken seriously.
Claiming the Orioles are “always 3 years away from contending” proves you have not “followed the Orioles for a long time,” noob.
It was probably a true statement last year.
I like the O’s in 2023.
I wonder how much playing 2B affected Ruiz offensively. Still reasonably young and cheap so someone will pick him up
Bring back Yolmer!
Good heavens no!!!!
Come back to Chicago!!
Man, what is up with MLBTR hating on Ramon Urias? He gets sent down and no post! Not even a mention in this Ruiz post…
Some team that needs infield help could use him. An NPB team could use him as a starting player and the Hanuwa Eagles of the KBO could too as Ryon Healy has been the worst foreign hitter in the KBO. https://mykbostats.com/players/2134-Ryon-Healy-Hanwha-Eagles A .621 OPS should be an easy bar for Ruiz to jump over.