The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Keibert Ruiz from Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed Corey Seager on the 10-day injured list prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Miami Marlins.
Seager was hit by a pitch Saturday and sustained a fracture to the fifth metacarpal (pinky) in his right hand. He was put in a splint but will not require surgery, which may have ended Seager’s 2021 season.
Though, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts projected Seager would still miss at least four weeks. He has played in 37 games this season, batting .265/.361/.422 with seven doubles, two triples, four home runs and 22 RBI.
Ruiz is active with the Dodgers for a second time this season. He’s appeared in just five games this season, each time off the bench, and gone 1-for-6 with a home run. Ruiz was previously optioned to Oklahoma City during an off day last week, and Luke Raley was then recalled.
“It’s just having another outfielder for defense and also with Keibert, it’s getting him back to playing,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained at the time.
“I think there’s an overall net. We’ve got to decide on having him around but not getting everyday at-bats, understanding he didn’t play at all last year, versus going down and playing and developing.”
Ruiz’s brief time with OKC saw him appear in just four games. He collected six hits in 20 at-bats, including four doubles.
Before the Minor League season began, Ruiz spent some time on the Dodgers’ taxi squad, where he gained valuable experience of game calling and being in a Major League clubhouse.
A drawback to this, of course, was that Ruiz could not log at-bats against live pitching in Arizona.
Dodgers not planning on playing Ruiz at multiple positions
While Ruiz expressed a willingness to play other positions besides catcher, the Dodgers are not planning on making any changes at this time. “I think more short term, long term, keep him behind the plate,” Roberts said.
“I’m not surprised he said he would play anywhere on the field. He’s a baseball player. But I think if anywhere else, I could see him potentially at first base.
“But we haven’t gotten to that point, and we have some other guys that can play first. It doesn’t surprise me with the openness.”
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