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Oakland Athletics outfielder Esteury Ruiz went yard in his first start from the leadoff spot since March in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, smashing a two-run jack in the third inning and also stealing a base. Ruiz's homer was a 412-foot two-run shot that brought Max Schuemann around to score. The A's surprisingly sent the American League's 2023 stolen base leader to the minor leagues following only three games to start the 2024 season, but Ruiz is swiftly demanding the attention of fantasy managers after tearing it up in the minors. The speedy 25-year-old center fielder is now batting .357 (5-for-14) with two taters, four RBI, five runs scored, and two swipes in just six outings in the major leagues. He'll look to stay hot during a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians beginning on Friday. Across nine career games against Cleveland, Ruiz is hitting .333 (10-for-30) with five extra-base hits, six RBI, and four pilfers.
Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller continued to solidify himself as the team's go-to ninth-inning option in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the visiting St. Louis Cardinals, picking up his fourth save of the season to protect the victory. Miller allowed a leadoff walk to Ivan Herrera but quickly settled in to retire the next three batters, striking out two. After giving up two runs in his first appearance of the 2024 campaign, the fire-balling 25-year-old right-hander has rattled off eight consecutive scoreless frames in the month of April and now owns a 2.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 17 punchouts over nine innings overall (seven appearances). The A's aren't going to win very many games this season, but Miller's current pace suggests there is a pathway to the neighborhood of 25-30 saves if he maintains a grip on Oakland's closing job and doesn't get shifted back to the starting rotation.
Oakland Athletics outfielder Esteury Ruiz (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. This seems a bit odd after Ruiz blasted a solo home run off the bench during Monday's game. It'll be JJ Bleday continuing to start in center field with Lawrence Butler and Seth Brown in the corners. Ruiz should get his chance to start everyday at some point, but a bench role certainly hurts his fantasy value right now.
After being recalled from Triple-A earlier in the day, Oakland Athletics outfielder Esteury Ruiz provided the team with its only offense in Monday's loss versus the St. Louis Cardinals. Ruiz only got one at-bat in the contest as he was summoned to pinch-hit for outfielder Lawrence Butler in the bottom of the eight inning, but he made the most of it with a solo home run. Ruiz was mysteriously demoted earlier in the season, but he is back with the club now and should get plenty of reps in the outfield for Oakland. Power is not a big part of his game, but you are paying for his base stealing ability that is game changing with home runs being added value. Due to his speed, he is worth rostering in most formats, but managers should keep an eye on his playing time.
Oakland Athletics infielder J.D. Davis (groin) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday, and outfielder Esteury Ruiz was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Davis exited Sunday's 7-6 win over the Washington Nationals due to a strained right groin, and he'll need to spend some time on the shelf. The 30-year-old was operating as Oakland's primary third baseman, but he's batting just .196 (10-for-51) with two solo home runs over 14 games this year. The speedy Ruiz is available off the bench for the A's on Monday and could eventually reclaim his spot as the club's everyday center fielder after a spell in the minor leagues. The 25-year-old contact hitter slashed .326/.423/.581 with three homers, eight RBI, and seven stolen bases across 51 plate appearances in the minors, and he led the American League with 67 swipes a year ago. Ruiz should be added in fantasy for steals where available.