The Yokohama DeNA BayStars announced the signing of former Major League Baseball pitcher José Ruiz.
Ruiz has been in the big leagues since 2017. He has pitched in 282 games, but has not had much success. After playing for the San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves, he is heading across the Pacific to Nippon Professional Baseball.
Ruiz could find his way back to the big leagues, but he will first have to prove himself in Japan. He has been a reliever in MLB, but could end up starting in Japan, like many major leaguers who transition to international leagues. Just recently, Cody Ponce spent four seasons playing internationally and won the KBO League MVP Award as a starting pitcher. He just signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.
As a Major Leaguer, Ruiz threw 286 2/3 innings with a 4.62 ERA, a 1.486 WHIP, 285 strikeouts, and 133 walks. He made just two starts in the Majors, once with the White Sox in 2019 and most recently with Arizona on July 23, 2023, when he allowed three runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds.
Ponce was 27 when he left Major League Baseball and is now returning as a 31-year-old with completely different expectations. Ruiz is already 30 years old, so he may have to have a quicker turnaround to get a lucrative deal in the big leagues again.
The Guacara, Venezuela native, has relied heavily on his fastball and curveball throughout his big league career. His fastball sits at 95.7 mph. His curveball averages 85.5 mph. His velocity is down from previous years, and he could look to get it back in Japan.
Ruiz will look to find some success for the BayStars. He was a solid minor leaguer, so he could turn back the clock and tap into what made him successful in Triple-A. In 67 Triple-A games, he has a 2.76 ERA.
Photo: José Ruiz (63) delivers against the Colorado Rockies in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
