WASHINGTON — Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz, who has a history of concussions, exited Wednesday afternoon’s 9-0 loss to the Braves after being struck in the facemask by an Ozzie Albies foul tip in the fourth inning.
Ruiz immediately threw his mask off and stood leaning over with both hands on his knees. He went down to one knee, then was attended to by manager Blake Butera and the medical staff.
“He’s OK now,” Butera said postgame. “It got him in the jaw pretty good, head was bothering him. Just given the history he’s had with concussions, didn’t want to risk anything there. Went through concussion tests with the doctor and came out OK.”
Ruiz traveled with the team Wednesday night on the flight to Los Angeles, where Washington opens a six-game West Coast road trip on Friday.
“We have to see how it is over the next 24 hours,” Butera said. “I think it’s more of a day-to-day thing, but won’t really know a ton until he checks in tomorrow.”
Ruiz was replaced by Harry Ford before a one-hour, 26-minute rain delay at Nationals Park. Catcher Drew Millas was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Tuesday with a left index finger fracture.
Ruiz struggled through head injuries last season.
While standing at the railing of the visitors’ dugout at Petco Park on June 23, 2025, Ruiz was struck on the right side of his head by an 82.4 mph foul ball that ricocheted off the dugout wall.
Ruiz initially was placed on the 10-day injured list, and then he was transferred to the seven-day concussion protocol IL. He was activated on July 4, only to suffer another concussion on July 5 against the Red Sox. Ruiz was hit square in the forehead by a Nate Eaton foul ball that knocked off his mask.
Ruiz attempted to return late in the ‘25 season, only to experience headaches and dizziness during a rehab assignment last September. Ruiz returned this season clear of any concussion restrictions.
He entered Wednesday’s series finale leading all catchers (minimum 60 plate appearances) in batting average (.377), on-base percentage (.441) and OPS (.949) since Aug. 2.