The Los Angeles Dodgers could not get back in the win column on Sunday, as they fell to the San Francisco Giants at Camelback Ranch. The game was notable in that the battery of Tony Gonsolin and Keibert Ruiz made their respective first starts of Spring Training.
Gonsolin turned in a solid performance, allowing three runs on three hits with five strikeouts and no walks over 4.1 innings of work. His only blemishes on the day were a pair of home runs allowed to Evan Longoria and Mike Yastrzemski.
Ruiz, meanwhile, collected a pair of hits and drove in three of the Dodgers’ four runs in what marked his first appearance since being optioned to Minor League camp.
The 22-year-old, after reporting to Spring Training late due to visa issues, is now 4-for-4 with one double and five RBI in two Cactus League games. “Really impressive. Keibert really came into camp ready to go — albeit delayed but out of his control,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game.
“The way his mindset and outlook on things, the body, the at-bat quality, with the pitchers. I’m just really, really pleased with where Keibert is at right now taking that next step forward from being just a prospect to being a big league ballplayer.”
Despite impressing this spring, Ruiz is a long shot to make the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster as they are currently set at the catcher position with Will Smith and Austin Barnes. “Unless something unforeseen happens, he won’t break camp with us,” Roberts explained.
“Also, he’s had a very short camp. But as far as the depth, he’s a big part of the catching core for this organization.”
Roberts shares message to Ruiz, Josiah Gray after Spring Training cuts
Ruiz and top pitching prospect Josiah Gray were among the Dodgers’ first round of Spring Training cuts. “I think for Keibert it was late arrival to camp and we just didn’t get to see him as much as we would’ve liked,” Roberts said of his message to Ruiz.
“But continue to go out there and take at-bats every day, play regularly once they start playing games on the other side and when we get a chance we’ll try to bring him over. Just really impressed with the way he looks and the way he’s matured.
“With Josiah, it’s the starters are building up. He needs to build up as a starter, get on a regular routine and continue to fine tune some things. I thought Jo-Jo had a good camp and he’s only going to get better.”
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