José Ruiz Makes His Second Move of the Season, This Time via Trade
In a midseason shake-up, José Ruiz, a reliever with previous ties to the Philadelphia Phillies, has once again been on the move. This time, rather than being designated for assignment, he’s been traded.
From Texas to Philadelphia – A Career Timeline
Ruiz began the 2025 season with the Phillies but was designated for assignment on June 1 due to roster adjustments. Shortly afterward, on June 7, the Atlanta Braves claimed him off waivers. They wasted no time activating him on June 8. However, his time in Atlanta was fleeting. He appeared just twice for the Braves before the organization designated him for assignment once more. No team claimed him this time, and on June 22, he was sent outright to their Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett.
Now a Ranger
On July 18, 2025, the Texas Rangers announced that they have acquired him from Atlanta, along with a sum of cash considerations. In exchange, the Rangers have sent pitcher Dane Dunning—the same Dunning who played a role in their 2023 World Series run—to the Braves. This marks Ruiz’s second move of the year and his first trade.
Ruiz’s 2025 Stats with Philadelphia and Atlanta
Across both the Phillies and Braves organizations, Ruiz tallied 18 appearances out of the bullpen. Sixteen of those outings came with Philadelphia, while two came with Atlanta. Over 16.1 innings pitched this season, he recorded:
A win–loss record of 1–0
An earned run average (ERA) of 8.82
15 strikeouts and 9 walks
Although his ERA didn’t showcase his best work, he continued to be trusted by his teams for short stints in the middle to late innings.
A Closer Look at Ruiz’s 2024 Performance
Before this turbulent 2025 season, Ruiz spent all of 2024 with the Phillies and had a far stronger showing. His numbers included:
Appearances in 52 games, all in relief
A 5–1 win–loss record
A solid 3.71 ERA
52 strikeouts over 51 innings pitched
Just 17 walks
Opponents batted .260 against him, and he maintained a 1.33 WHIP
These numbers underscored his steady value to a bullpen seeking reliable arms.
Career Overview
Rubio’s major-league career stretches back to his debut with the San Diego Padres in 2017. After a season in San Diego, he signed with the Chicago White Sox, where he played for five years. The 2023 campaign saw him start in Chicago, before he was traded midseason to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Although the Diamondbacks made a deep playoff run that year, they were ultimately eliminated by the Phillies in the National League Championship Series—despite having Ruiz on their roster earlier that season.
As of mid-2025, Ruiz has accumulated:
A 11–9 career record
A 4.62 ERA
282 major-league appearances
284 strikeouts against 133 walks over 286.2 innings
A batting average against of .263
A 1.49 career WHIP
Why the Rangers Made the Move
While the specifics were not detailed in the announcement, teams often trade pitching depth for bullpen reinforcements as they approach the trade deadline. By sending Dane Dunning—a former key contributor—to Atlanta, Texas is shoring up its bullpen with a veteran reliever familiar with midseason adjustments and capable of providing innings in high-leverage relief situations.
What This Means for Ruiz
For José Ruiz, this trade brings stability after a season filled with uncertainty. He’ll have the chance to join a Rangers team that’s contending and to slot into their bullpen, likely in a middle-relief role. If he can replicate his 2024 form, he could be an important depth arm down the stretch.
Dane Dunning’s New Chapter
For Atlanta, acquiring Dane Dunning adds another pitching option. Dunning was a contributor on Texas’s 2023 pennant-winning team; now, with Atlanta, he could bolster a rotation or bullpen that might benefit from his versatility and postseason awareness.
Summary by Numbers
In 2025 (so far)
Appearances: 18
Innings pitched: 16.1
ERA: 8.82
Record: 1–0
Strikeouts: 15
Walks: 9
In 2024 (with Phillies)
Appearances: 52
Record: 5–1
ERA: 3.71
Strikeouts/Innings: 52/51
Walks: 17
Opp.AVG: .260
WHIP: 1.33
Career Totals
Record: 11–9
ERA: 4.62
Appearances: 282
Strikeouts: 284
Walks: 133
Innings: 286.2
Opp.AVG: .263
WHIP: 1.49
José Ruiz’s journey this season—from the Phillies to the Braves, and now to the Rangers—reflects the volatility of a midseason bullpen. Whether he can find consistency with Texas remains to be seen, but his track record suggests he has the potential to be a useful reliever in a tight playoff push.
Leave a Reply