Philadelphia Phillies Sign New Reliever on Minor-League Contract

Phillies add reliever on minor-league deal originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Phillies are set to bring a group of talented pitchers to Clearwater as non-roster invitees for the upcoming spring training. One of the notable additions is right-handed reliever Jose Ruiz, who has recently inked a minor-league contract, as reported by MLB Trade Rumors.

At 29 years old, Ruiz hails from Venezuela and boasts a strong track record, having pitched in the majors for the past seven seasons. With 212 career appearances, of which 177 were with the White Sox, he brings valuable experience to the Phillies. In the 2023 season, Ruiz spent most of his time with the Diamondbacks, showcasing a 4.43 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 40⅔ innings.

He ended the season with the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliate, Reno, impressively conceding only two runs in his final 15 innings while notching 20 strikeouts.

Looking ahead to the 2024 season, the Phillies are anticipated to retain most of their eight-man bullpen, including names like Jose Alvarado, Seranthony Dominguez, Jeff Hoffman, and others. The team has also tendered a contract to Dylan Covey. As they prepare for the upcoming season, the Phillies are likely to add a late-inning reliever to fill the void left by free agent Craig Kimbrel.

Notable relievers competing for spots in the Phillies’ spring training roster include Ruiz, Andrew Bellatti, Luis Ortiz, and several others. Ruiz is the lone pitcher in this group who is out of minor-league options, potentially adding an extra layer of complexity to the Phillies’ decision-making process.