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The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired former American League stolen bases leader Esteury Ruiz from the A's for Carlos Duran on Wednesday.
Ruiz was designated for assignment by the Athletics just two years after he was the team's starting center fielder and logged an AL-best 67 stolen bases in 2023.
NEWS: The Dodgers are acquiring CF Esteury Ruiz from the A's, sources tell ESPN.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) April 2, 2025
He stole an AL-leading 67 bases in 2023 and was designated for assignment three days ago.
The Dodgers will option Ruiz to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Right-hander Kyle Hurt, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, was transferred to the 60-day injured list to open a 40-man roster spot.
The Dodgers acquired OF Esteury Ruiz from the Athletics in exchange for RHP Carlos Duran. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers transferred RHP Kyle Hurt to the 60-day injured list.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 2, 2025
Ruiz, once a top prospect in the Padres organization, has yet to match his hype at the major league level. In 17 spring training games with the A's, Ruiz slashed .121/.171/.152, with four hits (three singles) in 33 at-bats.
Ruiz was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas in March. The A's removed him from their 40-man roster when they claimed left-handed pitcher Angel Perdomo off waivers from the Angels.
The Dodgers (7-0) are one of two unbeaten teams in the major leagues and can become the first team to eight wins by beating the Atlanta Braves at home Wednesday. Their outfield lacks a true center fielder but has ample depth.
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Michael Conforto and Teoscar Hernández are corner outfielders more known for their bats. So is Andy Pages, who's been the de facto center fielder and number-9 hitter. Pages is slashing .136/.269/.182 in that role in seven games.
With utility players Kiké Hernández, Tommy Edman, and Chris Taylor offering depth in center field, Ruiz will have to hit at the minor league level to earn a call-up.
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The trade for Ruiz further buries James Outman, who spent all of the 2023 season as the Dodgers' primary center fielder. Outman struggled last season in the majors and played 69 games at Oklahoma City, hitting .279 with 17 home runs and 11 stolen bases.
Outman struggled more in spring training, hitting .207 with more strikeouts (15) than total bases (14) in 12 games. He was assigned to Oklahoma City to begin the season, and now figures to compete with Ruiz for playing time in center field.
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Duran, 23, saw most of his action last year at Double-A Tulsa, going 0-4 with a 3.05 ERA in 11 games (11 starts). He struck out 48 batters and walked 18 in 38.1 innings.
The right-hander was assigned to Triple-A to begin the 2025 season and allowed only three hits and one run across 4.1 innings in his debut. He walked four batters and struck out eight.
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J.P. Hoornstra writes and edits Major League Baseball content. A veteran of 20 years of sports coverage for daily newspapers ... Read more