Norge

Ruiz

Ruíz, 28, allowed 16 runs -- 15 earned -- over his first 19 major league innings this year out of the A’s bullpen. He is now off the 40-man roster in Oakland.

Zach Jackson (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, so the A’s already had an open roster spot. Ruíz has surrendered seven runs on 15 hits and a walk in six major league innings this year.

The 28-year-old hurler’s first taste of big league action didn’t go quite as well as he would have liked, recording a 7.50 ERA, 2.50 WHIP and 9/1 K/BB ratio over six innings of work. He should get another shot with the Athletics in September.

The Athletics signed the Cuban right-hander as a 22-year-old way back in December of 2016. Now 28, Ruiz has registered a 3.83 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 38/15 K/BB ratio over 40 innings in 30 appearances out of the Aviators bullpen. He’ll work in middle relief for the Athletics. Domingo Tapia was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez reports that the Cuban defector will receive a $2 million signing bonus. Ranked by MLB.com as the No. 3 international prospect, Ruiz works in the low-90s and is a groundball pitcher who will turn 23 in March. The right-hander is viewed as nearly big league-ready and should push to be part of the A’s rotation at some point next season.

Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan is hearing that the Dodgers are the “early favorites” to sign the right-hander. Passan also notes that “many believe (Ruiz is) the best pitcher in Cuba” and that he’s a “short right-hander but will get significant bank.” Ruiz turned 21 just over a month ago.