Dodgers Select Justin Dean
DODGERS SELECT JUSTIN DEAN
LOS ANGELE**S –** The Los Angeles Dodgers have selected the contract of outfielder Justin Dean and optioned outfielder Esteury Ruiz. In order to make room for Dean on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated Luken Baker for assignment.
Dean, 28, joins the Major League squad for the first time in his career. The outfielder was hitting .274 with six homers, 25 stolen bases and 31 RBI for Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was a non-roster invite to Spring Training, slashing .250/.500/.333 in 13 Cactus League games. He has been in the minor leagues seven seasons, playing in 680 games, hitting .249 with 39 homers and 237 stolen bases. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 17th round of the 2018 First Year Player Draft out of Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Ruiz, 26, appeared in 19 games for the Dodgers, recording four hits and going 4-for-4 in stolen bases attempts. Last season, he played 29 games for the Athletics, hitting .200 with five stolen bases and two homers. In 2023, he finished his rookie season leading the league with 67 stolen bases after hitting .254 with 24 doubles and five homers. In four Major League seasons with the San Diego Padres (2022), Milwaukee Brewers (2022), Athletics (2023-24) and Dodgers (2025), he has hit .241 and he is 77-for-96 in stolen base chances. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Royals on July 3, 2015 out of Azua, Dominican Republic.
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