Phillies Designate José Ruiz, Recall Prospect Seth Johnson

The Philadelphia Phillies designated right-handed reliever José Ruiz for assignment after a rough start to the 2025 season, marked by an 8.16 ERA and a recent outing where he allowed five runs in one inning. Ruiz, who had shown promise in 2024 with a 3.71 ERA, struggled particularly after returning from a neck injury, prompting the team to recall top prospect Seth Johnson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley as a possible bullpen spark. Johnson, acquired in the Gregory Soto trade, has been transitioned from a starter to a reliever role and, despite a difficult Major League debut last year, has shown increased velocity and potential. The Phillies' bullpen overall has been a weakness this season, further complicated by the suspension of star reliever Jose Alvarado, though other relievers like Orion Kerkering have begun stabilizing the unit with improved recent performances. Ruiz’s struggles included high hard-hit percentages against him, but some recent outings suggested potential for control improvements. The Phillies hope Johnson can develop into a reliable bullpen arm to help address their ongoing relief pitching challenges.