Nationals C Keibert Ruiz lands on IL with head contusion

Field Level Media|published: Tue 24th June, 21:56 2025

Jun 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz (20) looks on during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

One day after he was hit in the head by a foul ball while sitting in the dugout, catcher Keibert Ruiz was placed on the injured list by the Washington Nationals on Tuesday with what the team is calling a head contusion.

Washington called up Drew Millas from Triple-A Rochester to replace Ruiz on the roster.

Teammate Josh Bell's foul ball hit Ruiz on a bounce and the catcher placed both hands on his head and immediately left the bench. Riley Adams replaced him behind the plate. After Washington's 10-6 win over the host San Diego Padres, manager Dave Martinez said the 26-year-old Ruiz was headed for a CT scan.

"The ball hit him pretty solid," Martinez said. "He had a nice lump on the side of his head."

Ruiz has played in 66 of the Nationals' first 79 games this season. He has hit .248 with two homers and 24 RBIs, though he has struggled in June with a .167 average.

Millas, 27, likely will serve as the backup behind Adams. This is Millas' first stint with the team this season after hitting .259 with two homers and seven RBIs in 31 games for Washington in 2023 and ‘24.

In 22 games this season, the 28-year-old Adams entered Tuesday hitting .097 with three homers and eight RBIs as Ruiz's backup.

--Field Level Media

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