The Los Angeles Dodgers made a quiet but calculated roster move Monday, dealing outfielder Esteury Ruiz to the Miami Marlins in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Adriano Marrero—a trade that subtly reshapes depth charts while opening a valuable spot on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
Ruiz, one of the fastest players in professional baseball, served as situational depth for the World Series champion Dodgers last season. His role rarely came with ceremony. He was deployed late, often when speed mattered more than swings—pinch-running, covering ground in the outfield, changing innings with his legs. In 19 appearances with Los Angeles, Ruiz hit .190 while swiping four bases, doing what the Dodgers asked without demanding more.
For Miami, the deal addresses a specific need. The Marlins moved Dane Myers to Cincinnati two days earlier, leaving a void in center-field depth and right-handed outfield balance. Ruiz steps into that gap immediately. He offers coverage behind Jakob Marsee, insurance beyond Victor Mesa Jr., and a right-handed bat to complement Heriberto Hernández. It’s a fit built on function, not flash.
Because Ruiz occupied a 40-man spot, Miami made a corresponding move by designating Eric Wagaman for assignment. Wagaman quietly logged a heavy workload as a rookie in 2024, making a team-high 94 starts at first base while posting a .250/.296/.378 slash line with 28 doubles and nine home runs. It’s a reminder of the difficult math that often follows roster decisions.
From the Dodgers’ side, the return is developmental patience. Marrero adds pitching depth to a system that values arms with projection and flexibility. Ruiz still has one Minor League option remaining and won’t reach arbitration eligibility until after the 2026 season, but Los Angeles chose roster clarity over redundancy.