Oct 6, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jose Ruiz (66) has a meeting at the mound in the sixth inning against the New York Mets during game two of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images Kyle Ross
The Phillies made a relatively surprising decision Sunday morning in an attempt to improve their struggling bullpen.
José Ruiz — who manager Rob Thomson has been particularly fond of since he joined the team last May — has been designated for assignment. Ruiz had an 8.16 ERA over 16 appearances this season, but had some effective stretches in 2024, posting a 3.71 ERA in 52 games.
In Ruiz's place, the Phillies have recalled RHP Seth Johnson. Johnson will wear No. 51.
Thomson explained the decision to DFA Ruiz in his pregame meeting with the media Sunday morning. Interestingly, Thomson went out of his way to mention Carlos Hernández, who some may have thought would be the more obvious choice to DFA.
"I think all the other guys are just pitching a little bit better, that's all," Thomson said. "Hernández is starting to throw strikes on a more consistent basis."
Hernández has a 6.14 ERA this season, but the Phillies seem to continue to be intrigued by him.
"He's starting to throw strikes," Thomson said. "And if he throws strikes with that arm, he's gonna be good. He's gonna get outs."
The good news: Seth Johnson struck out a pair and hit 99 mph three times tonight in an inning of relief
The bad news: He also allowed a solo home run pic.twitter.com/s8P8JzJhwP
— Mitch Rupert (@Mitch_Rupert) May 31, 2025
Johnson was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in the Gregory Soto trade last July. He was shelled in his Major League Debut last September in Miami, giving up nine earned runs in 2 1/3 innings pitched. However, the Phillies have since moved him into a bullpen role, and while he isn't a finished product, it's not hard to see why they are intrigued by the 26-year-old's potential as a reliever.
