When the Padres traded for Freddy Galvis last week, a spot needed to be opened up on the 40-man roster for the team’s new shortstop. Reliever Jose Ruiz was designated for assignment to create that spot. Today it was announced that the Chicago White Sox claimed the hard-throwing righty off waivers.
Jose Ruiz was signed in July 2011 as a 16-year-old Venezuelan catcher. He continued to catch through the first five years of his pro career, but he struggled to hit consistently. What he did well through that time was display his cannon of an arm.