KISSIMMEE, Fla. —Chris Volstad got rocked and Rio Ruiz got hurt in the Braves’ 9-5 Grapefruit League loss to the Astros on Wednesday.
The damage to Ruiz’s ankle wasn’t believed to be serious, but the damage to Volstad’s chances at a rotation spot might be more severe after bad outings in each of his first two appearances.
He gave up five runs (three earned) while recording just two outs in the fourth inning Wednesday, allowing three hits and a walk as the Astros turned a tied game into a 7-2 lead.
A non-roster invitee who came to spring training to compete for a spot on the opening-day roster, Volstad has struggled mightily, giving up eight hits, 10 runs (eight earned) and three walks in 2 2/3 innings over two appearances.
Ruiz left the game after turning an ankle as he came out of the batter’s box on an eighth-inning single. The third-base prospect later walked to the clubhouse down the right-field line without assistance, and Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said Ruiz would be evaluated later but that the player didn’t think the injury was severe.
Ruiz and Braves shortstop prospects Ozzie Albies and Dansby Swanson each was charged with a fielding error, and hard-throwing prospect Mauricio Cabrera gave up a massive fifth-inning homer to Marwin Gonzalez.
Braves left fielder Hector Olivera was 2-for-3 and raised his average to .474 (9-for-19) with nine singles, no walks and one strikeout.
