The Philadelphia Phillies are likely to lose a few key free agents this offseason, but so far through the first few days of December, none have departed the team for good.
However, one former Phillies reliever, Jose Ruiz, did make a free agent decision that has an impact on former Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer.
According to Phillies Tailgate, Ruiz is signing with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, taking over Bauer's spot on the roster, for the upcoming 2026 season.
Ex-Phillies pitcher Jose Ruiz reportedly replaces Trevor Bauer on BayStars roster
"The Yokohama DeNA BayStars of NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) have signed former Phillies reliever Jose Ruiz for the 2026 season." Phillies Tailgate reported on Twitter/X, "Jose Ruiz replaces Trevor Bauer on the BayStars roster."
Ruiz is 31 years old and coming off a 2025 season split between the Phillies and the Atlanta Braves. With Philadelphia, across 16 games, he had an 8.16 ERA with -.06 bWAR. With Atlanta, Ruiz had a 13.50 ERA in two appearances.
Ruiz was solid for the Phillies in 2024, pitching to a 3.71 ERA in 52 appearances with 0.5 bWAR and 52 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched. But his 2025 season was a major struggle, and he now heads overseas to join the NPB.
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The former Phillies reliever is joining the BayStars roster, reportedly taking over Bauer's roster spot. The former Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Guardians Cy Young star has been playing outside of the United States since 2023.
In 2025 with the BayStars, he posted a 4.51 ERA in 21 starts, the worst mark among all pitchers in the Japan Central League with at least 50 innings pitched.
Ruiz is reportedly taking his spot on the BayStars roster, as the former Phillies reliever is making the move overseas to join the NPB after a rough 2025 campaign with the Phillies and Braves.
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