The Los Angeles Dodgers are trading for outfielder Esteury Ruiz, acquiring the former American League leader in stolen bases, whom the Athletics designated for assignment last weekend.

Right-handed pitcher Carlos Duran, whose stock has trended up in the Dodgers’ system, goes to the Athletics in return.

Ruiz, 26, had been part of the trade package of two separate blockbusters as a prospect — first, he was part of the Milwaukee Brewers’ haul for closer Josh Hader just before the 2022 trade deadline. That winter, he wound up in Oakland as part of the three-team deal that sent All-Star William Contreras to Milwaukee and catcher Sean Murphy to the Atlanta Braves.

The Athletics gave Ruiz a regular role in 2023, and he recorded an AL-leading 67 stolen bases in 132 games while primarily starting in center field. Ruiz hit .254 that season and walked just 20 times in 497 plate appearances.

In terms of WAR, Ruiz fared better that year with FanGraphs’ formula (1.2), which had a more positive view of his defense. Baseball-Reference pegged him at -0.3.

He fell out of favor a year ago in Oakland, and the Athletics designated him for assignment on March 30 after he didn’t make the club’s Opening Day roster.

He still has two minor-league option years remaining, so the Dodgers can choose to stash Ruiz in the minor leagues as depth if needed. They transferred right-handed pitcher Kyle Hurt to the 60-day injured list to clear a 40-man roster spot for Ruiz; the Dodgers now have seven pitchers on the 60-day IL.

Duran started the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City by allowing just one run in 4 1/3 innings in his first start. The 23-year-old was a non-roster invitee to big-league camp this spring after posting a 3.71 ERA in 19 starts across three levels in 2024.

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