White Sox designate struggling reliever Jose Ruiz for assignment

The Chicago White Sox designated reliever Jose Ruiz for assignment Friday following the right-hander's disastrous start to the 2023 season.

In 3 innings pitched over four games, Ruiz gave up nine earned runs on eight hits and four walks for a 22.09 ERA. He surrendered three home runs and struck out three, and batters had a .421 average against him.

In a corresponding move, right-hander Jesse Scholtens was promoted from Triple-A Charlotte.

Ruiz, 28, is 3-7 with a 4.53 ERA over 178 innings in 178 games (one start) in his career. He made one relief appearance with the San Diego Padres in 2017.

Scholtens, 29, was a ninth-round draft pick by the Padres in 2016 but has yet to make his major league debut. In 154 appearances (105 starts) in the minors, he has a 27-39 record and 4.29 ERA over 633 innings of work.

At Charlotte this season, Scholtens started one game and gave up four runs in four innings on three hits and three walks. He didn't figure in the decision. In spring training, he gave up three runs over eight innings.

The White Sox will meet the Pirates on Friday in Pittsburgh.