MINNEAPOLIS – Trying to find some kind of spark for a lineup that has been shut out its last two games, Davey Martinez has moved Keibert Ruiz up to the No. 2 spot for tonight’s series opener against the Twins.
Ruiz had mostly been batting fifth or sixth this season, with two other games in the cleanup spot. He’s been one of the team’s few productive hitters in recent days, with a pair of three-hit games during the Nationals’ last homestand to raise his batting average 40 points to .262.
Martinez had tried to stick with Dominic Smith in the 2-spot, but the first baseman has looked lost at times at the plate, has zero extra-base hits so far this season and sports a weak .550 OPS. Smith was moved down to the No. 6 position tonight, the lowest he’s batted so far this year.
“We really need to get Dom going. He’s a big part of our offense,” Martinez said. “I just dropped him down a little bit. Keibert’s swinging the bat well. I talked to him today and not changing anything. Just continue to put the bat on the ball. He’s done well, so we’ll give him an opportunity to bat second today and see how it goes.”
Though he hasn’t hit for much power either, with one double in his last seven games, Ruiz has been hitting the ball with more authority, going 9 for his last 24. Even more impressive, he hasn’t struck out during this stretch.
“He’s slowed down a lot his lower half,” Martinez said. “He’s using his hands a lot better, which is awesome. Something we always talk about with him: He’s got good bat-to-ball skills. Trying to get him to not chase the breaking balls, get the balls up in the zone. When he does that, he’s able to hit the ball hard. And he’s done that. The last few days have been really good for him.”
Ruiz remains a rare workhorse at his position. He starts his 10th consecutive game behind the plate tonight, his 17th start in 19 team games to begin the season. Only J.T. Realmuto has started as many games among major league catchers, and the Phillies have played two more games overall than the Nationals, so Realmuto has had four games off.
Ruiz’s streak could end Saturday, though, with Riley Adams perhaps starting a day game after this night game. So far, Martinez hasn’t felt Ruiz has needed any more time off.
“This is based on conversations I have with him,” the manager said. “He’s done well, and he tells me he feels great right now. We’re running him out there. We’ll see how the game goes today. I know we’ve got a one o’clock game tomorrow. That could possibly mean we’ll get Riley in.”
* Corey Dickerson and Ildemaro Vargas, both on the injured list, joined the team on this road trip, but Vargas could be ready to begin a minor league rehab assignment after this weekend, the infielder’s final step before a return to the active roster.
Vargas has hit off a tee, has taken a full round of batting practice on the field and has taken ground balls in the field, showing no ill effects of the left shoulder strain he suffered 12 days ago in Colorado. It seems like he’s about ready to play in games.
“We’re going to get through this weekend and see how he feels,” Martinez said. “If everything goes well, we might be able to get him on a rehab assignment sometime next week.”
Dickerson, who strained his left calf April 2, isn’t as close to game-ready as Vargas, but he has begun taking batting practice. The veteran outfielder still needs to start running to test his leg, though, before he can begin a rehab assignment.
Dickerson missed one month with a calf strain last summer while playing for the Cardinals, providing something of a road map for this rehab process.
“I talk to him a lot about how rehab is, and he said it’s different. The rehab here is more aggressive, which he likes,” Martinez said. “We’re trying to get him going as quick as possible. He really likes that. Hopefully, this will be the last of it and he can get back on the field and play the rest of the year.”