The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dodgers, Phillies swap catchers
Los Angeles trades for Ruiz, sends Ellis to Philadelphia.
The NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers swapped catchers with Philadelphia, getting Carlos Ruiz and trading A.J. Ellis to the Phillies.
The deal was announced Thursday. The Dodgers also got cash while giving up Ellis, minor league pitcher Tommy Bergjans and a player to be named or cash.
Ruiz, 37, was hitting .261 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 48 games as a backup to Cameron Rupp. He has hit .340 (16 for 47) since the AllStar break.
Popular with Phillies fans who loved to call out his nickname “Chooch,” Ruiz will be reunited in Los Angeles with former Philadelphia star Chase Utley.
Ruiz was an All-Star in 2012 and is a .353 hitter in 11 World Series games.
Ellis hit .194 with one homer and 13 RBIs as a backup to Yasmani Grandal.
Bergjans was 3-13 with a 4.98 ERA at Class A Rancho Cucamonga.
Rangers: Former All-Star outfielder Carlos Gomez joined Texas and was in the starting lineup Thursday night, five days after signing a minor league deal with the AL West leaders.
Blue Jays: Slugger Jose Bautista was activated from the 15-day disabled list and led off against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night. Bautista was at designated hitter Thursday and he’ll spend “plenty of time” there, manager John Gibbons said.
Diamondbacks: Outfielder A.J. Pollock’s season debut is set for tonight. He’s back from a fractured right elbow and played in his 11th rehab game Tuesday night.
Red Sox: Rookie left fielder Andrew Benintendi was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left knee sprain. Benintendi was hurt in the seventh inning of a 4-3 loss in 11 innings to Tampa Bay on Wednesday night.
Mariners: Left-hander James Paxton was activated following a stint on the 15-day disabled list with a bruised elbow. Paxton started Thursday night’s game at the White Sox, his first appearance since he took a line drive off his left elbow Aug. 7.
Twins: First baseman Joe Mauer was out for the second straight game Thursday because of soreness in both quadriceps muscles more significant than originally believed, but manager Paul Molitor said he’s planning on Mauer being back in the lineup today.
Giants: Angel Pagan’s hitting streak ended at 19 games late Wednesday night against the Dodgers.
Cardinals: Lance Lynn, coming off reconstructive elbow surgery last November, made his third rehab start Wednesday at Double-A Springfield. There’s a chance the right-hander could help in the bullpen before the season ends.
World Baseball Classic: Dodger Stadium will host the championship game of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, with Marlins Park and Petco Park also holding games leading up to final March 22. Brazil, Britain, Israel and Pakistan will play qualifiers Sept. 22-25 at the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones’ minor league team. Tokyo, South Korea, Miami and Guadalajara, Mexico will host first-round games in March. Tokyo and San Diego will hold the second-round games, with the semifinals and final at Dodger Stadium.