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Alden GonzalezApr 2, 2025, 01:39 PM ET
- ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the L.A. Rams for ESPN from 2016 to 2018 and the L.A. Angels for MLB.com from 2012 to 2016.
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired speedy outfielder Esteury Ruiz from the Athletics in exchange for minor league right-hander Carlos Duran on Wednesday.
Ruiz, a 26-year-old right-handed hitter who was designated for assignment by the A’s three days earlier, will be optioned to the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate. If called up, he can provide speed off the bench and fill in at both center field and second base.
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He led the American League with 67 stolen bases in his first full season in 2023. He coupled that with solid defense in center field, contributing three outs above average, but slashed just .254/.309/.345 with five home runs in 132 games.
The 2024 season was a struggle for Ruiz. An injury to his left wrist forced him out for close to seven weeks. After about a week of action, he was shut down again due to lingering discomfort. And then, near the end of September, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. All told, Ruiz posted a .652 OPS in 29 major league games and a .994 OPS in 16 minor league games.
The emergence of Lawrence Butler and JJ Bleday severely limited Ruiz’s role with the A’s, and he was taken off the 40-man roster after lefty Angel Perdomo was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
Duran, a 23-year-old right-hander who’s listed at 6-foot-7, made 19 starts across three levels in the Dodgers’ system last year, combining for a 4.73 ERA with 73 strikeouts and 32 walks across 53⅓ innings.
The Dodgers transferred pitcher Kyle Hurt to the 60-day injured list to make room for Ruiz on the 40-man roster.
