The Diamondbacks announced that right-hander Jose Ruiz has been acquired from the White Sox in exchange for cash considerations. Ruiz was designated for assignment by the Sox on Friday.
Ruiz was a regular in Chicago’s bullpen for most of the last four seasons, except for an injury-shortened 2020 season that saw Ruiz pitch mostly at the club’s alternate training site. With a 3.75 ERA over 129 2/3 innings from 2020-22, Ruiz’s bottom-line results were solid, and his high-velocity fastball carries some solid spin. Ruiz’s effectiveness was tempered, however, by mediocre walk rates and a lot of hard contact, and a .260 BABIP over the previous three seasons was likely a big factor in his success.
That good fortune turned around hard on Ruiz this season, as he had a whopping 22.09 ERA over his first 3 2/3 innings of the 2023 campaign. It was enough for the White Sox to part ways with Ruiz, and he’ll now look for a fresh start in Arizona’s bullpen.
The D’Backs are looking for some relief help in the wake of multiple injuries to their intended bullpen mix. Joe Mantiply has yet to pitch this season due to shoulder fatigue, while Cole Sulser, Mark Melancon, and Corbin Martin are all on the 60-day injured list — in the case of Melancon and Martin, it remains to be seen if either will return before the 2023 season is over. The injury bug has now spread to the rotation in the form of Zach Davies’ oblique strain, and with Drey Jameson moving from the bullpen to Davies’ spot in the starting five, Arizona took a flier on Ruiz to add some depth to the relief corps.
The replacement arm wasn’t even in the system, good deal. I wonder what they saw in him (any observers that have an idea?)
Ruiz has absolutely electric stuff. Fastball in the high 90’s. Really good break on his breaking pitches. He’s mostly floundered in high leverage situations though and that’s been a bit of a mystery.
Electric stuff but hazardous when exposed to water. Bzzzz
He got off to a bad start this year, but most of the Sox pitchers have. I think this is more of a roster crunch than anything. I was excited to see him take the next step in his career, especially after getting some good experience in the WBC. The guy has some talent – I wish him the best. For the Sox he was best used in lower pressure situations, but he might be ready to take on some bigger challenges.
Appreciate the insight, guys! Sulser (the one that he’d be replacing) was a lower-mid leverage reliever, and Mantiply (one of the highest leverage RPs on the roster) will be back before the end of the month, though he’ll likely take Nelson’s spot on the Active Roster.
They should be able to get Ruiz in less stressful situations to make some adjustments; seems like a great fit. No truly established arms, but for them to fit him in that far down the totem pole is exciting after the debacle of last season.
I hope y’all hop on and watch some DBacks games, they’re a blast to watch.
He’s kind of a Jekyll/Hyde type of pitcher. He’ll make a batter look foolish, then the next hitter will do the same to him. Hopefully he’ll find consistency with a new team.
Love watching those OFs you have waltzing around like the worker ants in Antman quantumanias
He’s breathing and his obliques are unstrained……….so far.
Its an Easter Miracle!!! Thank the Lord he’s out of the organization!! Shoulda been gone two seasons ago
Saw Ruiz at O’Hare international before he boarded the plane. He bought me a Chicago dog with extra peppers and a coke. We talked for about 10 minutes and he was gone like OJ Simpson. Oh well .
Funny ran into him at Superdawg on Milwaukee. Switching buses at Elston. Bought us a whoopsie and fries. Good luck ole traveler
Outstanding … classy guy for sure
Wow no wonder Ruiz didn’t have any success, he lives on a diet of hot dogs…
A change of scenery may do him good. He has the stuff. In his last few outings, he was throwing nothing but predictable fast bass. I remember 7 in a row. Why that was, I don’t know, but he got rocked that day. I wondered what happened to him. LOL. At least the new coach is dumping these guys. Glad to finally see Leury go, too.
Bumgarner is toast.