- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Ruiz spending time in ‘pen to learn pitchers
- Updated: August 28, 2016
LOS ANGELES — Dodger relievers found themselves throwing to an unexpected bullpen catcher while warming up during Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Cubs: Carlos Ruiz. It’s a gesture from the veteran that has left the team impressed, to say the least.
After spending his entire career in the Phillies’ organization, Ruiz was acquired through a waiver trade Thursday and found himself having to learn the movement and velocities of an entire new pitching staff. To accelerate the learning process, he asked the coaching staff if he could catch every reliever in the bullpen before they entered Saturday’s game.
“That was a welcome question,” manager Dave Roberts said. “For him to do that and want to learn the pitchers and humble himself and educate himself, that’s something A.J. Ellis would do. To acquire a guy like that, who brings similar attributes, it’s not surprising, but definitely pleasant.”
Ruiz said catching in the bullpen is something he plans to do for the rest of the season. The only Dodger he has prior experience catching is Joe Blanton. He has faced most of the staff before as a hitter.
Concerns about bringing in a new catcher unfamiliar with the staff in the middle of the playoff hunt came to a head Friday night when two balls …
continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com
