Jose

Ruiz

McKenzie headlines a group of 19 players who elected minor league free agency earlier this week, including catcher Matt Thaiss; infielders Scott Kingery, Keston Hiura, Sergio Alcántara, Terrin Vavra and Vimael Machín; outfielders Jose Siri, Connor Joe and Jordyn Adams; and relievers Noah Davis, Scott Blewett, Brooks Kriske, Kevin Herget, Cionel Pérez, Darren McCaughan, Richard Lovelady, José Ruiz and Jordan Weems.

The 30-year-old hurler had fallen out of favor with the Braves after posting an unsightly 8.82 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and a 15/9 K/BB ratio across 16 1/3 frames in 18 appearances out of the team’s bullpen. He’s got a live arm though and could benefit from a change of scenery. He’ll report to Triple-A Round Rock to begin his Rangers career.

Ruiz has the ability to elect free agency and will presumably do exactly that in the coming days. The 30-year-old righty was removed from Atlanta’s relief mix earlier this week after struggling in a pair of appearances after being claimed off waivers from the Phillies.

The Braves needed to clear up spots on both their active and 40-man rosters for the arrival of Didier Fuentes on Thursday and it looks like Ruiz drew the short straw this time around. The 30-year-old hurler posted an 8.82 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and a 15/9 K/BB ratio over 16 1/3 innings in 18 appearances with the Braves.

Cox heads back to the minors to make room for veteran reliever José Ruiz, who was claimed off waivers from the Phillies earlier this weekend. The 28-year-old southpaw didn’t end up making an appearance for Atlanta during his one-game stint with the club.

Ruiz heads to Atlanta after posting a calamitous 8.16 ERA across 14 1/3 innings (16 appearances) this season for the division-rival Phillies. The 30-year-old righty, who was designated for assignment last weekend, has made 280 career appearances in the majors dating back to 2017.

Philadelphia has decided to move from Ruiz after he allowed five runs in his lone inning of work during Saturday’s lopsided defeat at the hands of the Twins. The 30-year-old righty hits the waiver wire after posting a disastrous 8.16 ERA across 14 1/3 innings (16 appearances) this season in the big leagues.

Ruiz rejoins Philadelphia’s bullpen mix ahead of Sunday’s game against the Pirates to replace closer José Alvarado, who will begin serving an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The 30-year-old has been on the shelf since spring training due to neck spasms.

Ruiz will be out of commission until at least the middle of May. The 30-year-old has posted a 4.76 ERA and 11/6 K/BB over his 12 appearances with Philadelphia over the first month-plus of 2025.

Ruiz was solid in 2024 for the Phillies’ bullpen with a 3.71 ERA and 52/17 K/BB over 51 innings.He’ll be a set-up reliever again for Philadelphia in 2025.