The Philadelphia Phillies are making a subtle change to their bullpen that they hope will breathe new life into their current situation to begin June.
According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies have designated right-handed reliever José Ruiz for assignment ahead of their series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers. To take Ruiz’s spot on the 26-man roster, the Phillies have recalled Seth Johnson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
The 30-year-old Ruiz has struggled mightily out of the pen this season, posting an 8.16 ERA in 16 appearances. The right-handed pitcher has allowed 21 hits, 14 runs (13 earned), six walks, three home runs, while only posting 12 strikeouts in 14.1 innings pitched.
Ruiz pitched okay in March and April, with a 4.76 ERA across 12 appearances. However, things went off the rails for the reliever as he had a 21.00 ERA in four appearances in May.
Ruiz had allowed 11 hits, eight runs (seven earned), a home run, and had only recorded one strikeout in three innings of work. Opponents were also hitting .579 at the plate, which was a huge difference from March and April (.244).
This was Ruiz’s second year with the club, as he initially joined the team in 2023, where he had a 3.71 ERA in 52 appearances. With the Phillies designating Ruiz for assignment, they have a week to trade him or put the veteran on waivers.
Meanwhile, Johnson, who made his Phillies debut last season as a starter, has been converted to a relief pitcher earlier this season at Triple-A.
The Phillies acquired Johnson (No. 12 prospect in the organization) and Moises Chace last year from the Baltimore Orioles in the Gregory Soto trade.
This season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the 26-year-old Johnson has a 2-2 record and 4.91 ERA in 16 games, which includes four starts. However, as a reliever, Johnson has a 5.52 ERA in 12 appearances.
That said, even though Johnson is still fairly new to the reliever role, the Phillies would rather take a chance on him than Ruiz at this point in the season.