The Rockies announced that that infielder Rio Ruiz has been claimed off waivers from the Orioles. Infielder/outfielder Bret Boswell has been designated for assignment to create roster space for Ruiz.
Ruiz was a waiver claim himself back in December 2018, when the Orioles plucked him away from the Braves. Ruiz has been a regular in his two-plus seasons in Baltimore, appearing in 213 games and receiving 718 plate appearances, but he has hit only .220/.292/.380.
Third base has been Ruiz’s primary position, both with the Orioles and in three previous seasons with the Braves. However, Ruiz has also seen action at both second base and third base, so he brings some versatility to Colorado’s depth chart. The Rockies have a lot of right-handed hitters on their bench, though Ruiz has actually hit lefty pitching better than righties over his career.
Boswell was selected out of the University of Texas in the eighth round of the 2017 draft. After posting some big numbers in his first two pro seasons, Boswell spent the 2019 season with the Rockies’ Double-A affiliate, but hit a modest .219/.290/.397 over 404 PA.
