A's option Ruiz to Triple-A despite strong start at plate
The Oakland Athletics optioned outfielder Esteury Ruiz to Triple-A, the club announced Monday.
The move makes room on the roster for infielder Tyler Nevin, who the Athletics claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.
Ruiz was off to a strong start at the plate, hitting .429 in three games with a pair of runs scored and a stolen base. The 25-year-old led the American League with 67 stolen bases in 2023 in his first season with the Athletics.
Athletics general manager David Forst believes Ruiz will benefit from consistent at-bats out of the lead-off spot at Triple-A.
"We saw some better at-bats this spring, but the reality is, to use his skills, he needs to get on base. … I'm hoping leading off every day at Triple-A, it’s not a long stay for him down there," Forst said, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com.
Oakland acquired Ruiz in a three-team trade that sent Sean Murphy to the Atlanta Braves and William Contreras to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Ruiz is a career .251 hitter with five home runs, 50 RBIs, 52 runs scored, and 69 stolen bases across parts of three seasons.