Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Justin Ruggiano signed a one-year, $1.65 million contract with the Texas Rangers, the club announced on Thursday. The deal also includes incentives, the details of which were not released.
The Seattle Mariners traded Ruggiano to the Dodgers and sent cash considerations on Aug. 31, beating the deadline for players to be traded and remain eligible for the postseason roster with their new club.
At the time, the Texas native was with Triple-A Tacoma, where he hit .296/.385/.514 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs in 49 games.
Ruggiano began the 2015 season on the Mariners’ roster, but was designated for assignment on June 4 and sent outright to Triple-A.
In 34 games with the Mariners, he hit .214/.321/.357 with two home runs and three RBIs in 81 plate appearances.
The Dodgers primarily used Ruggiano as a lefty masher. Over 21 games (13 starts), he hit .333/.388/.667 with eight extra-base hits against left-handed pitchers.
Overall, Ruggiano batted .291/.350/.618 with four home runs, 12 RBIs, a .409 wOBA and 166 wRC+ during his time with the Dodgers.
A wrist injury prevented Scott Van Slyke from being included on the Dodgers’ National League Division Series roster and that opened the door for Ruggiano.
While the 33 year old was with the club for their postseason run, he failed to mirror his regular-season success, making one start and appearing in three games during the series.
Ruggiano went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in the NLDS. He cleared waivers in November, though elected free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
