Randy Ruiz Free In Japan: Has He Spread His Wings?

Everyone’s favourite future-Babe-Ruth Randy Ruiz was released by the Blue Jays in late May and quickly signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.  He arrived with the team on May 25 but took a few days to get acclimated to Japan before actually seeing any playing time. So, of course he has already hit 20 bombs right? Not exactly.  Ruiz has struggled so far in Japan, having hit only 2HR in 32 plate appearances (said with tongue planted firmly in cheek).  Having said that, it is still very early and it will take Ruiz time to adjust to the league’s pitchers and style as well as the Japanese culture.  He is still up to his old tricks though, striking out 10 times in 28 at-bats. Brian Wolfe Remember former bullpen star Brian Wolfe?  He signed this season with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of the Nippon Professional Baseball League after refusing a minor league assignment fromt he Blue Jays. After struggling early on, Wolfe has pitched effectively over the last month t...