Johan Camargo’s emergence didn’t leave much playing time for Rio Ruiz so the Braves sent Ruiz to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday.
Ruiz, 23, has started 21 games this season at third base but had made just three starts since June 14. The lefty batter was hitting .175 with a .264 on-base percentage.
“It’s not going to do him any good at his age and where he’s at in his career to sit up here and pinch hit,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “Camargo is doing good and I’m going to give him the (biggest) share of the playing time right now. It just is what it is.
“You’ve got a straight left-handed bench player (in Ruiz) and you’d rather have the guy with more versatility. I think it will be good for Rio to go down there and get back to playing every day.”
The Braves recalled Jace Peterson from Gwinnett to take Ruiz’s place on the roster.
Camargo, a switch hitter, has started nine of 16 games since being called up on June 2 for his third stint with the Braves this season. Entering Thursday Camargo, a switch hitter, was batting .321 with a .333 OBP including .357/.372 in 16 games since June 3.
