The Milwaukee Brewers placed first baseman Darin Ruf (knee) and outfielder Tyrone Taylor (elbow) on the 10-day injured list on Saturday and recalled first baseman Jon Singleton and outfielder Blake Perkins from Triple-A Nashville in corresponding moves. Ruf suffered a right-knee laceration in Friday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, while Taylor is dealing with a right-elbow sprain. Ruf had only played in 11 games for Milwaukee and had just five hits in 26 at-bats with no home runs. Rowdy Tellez will continue to operate as the primary first baseman, with Singletary backing him up. Taylor opened this season on the IL with the same injury, so the 29-year-old is likely to miss extended time.
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Darin Ruf (knee) exited Friday's loss to the Cincinnati Reds. The veteran suffered a right knee laceration in the third inning after running into the tarp while going after a foul ball. Ruf needed stitches to close the wound, with Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reporting that the 36-year-old was "banged-up pretty badly." He was replaced in the game by Rowdy Tellez, who went 0-for-4 while striking out twice. That said, Ruf could miss time. But considering he's hitting .192 this season, an extended layoff shouldn't negatively impact many fantasy managers.
The Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with first baseman Darin Ruf on Monday. The right-handed slugger was recently designated for assignment by the San Francisco Giants. He elected free agency over a minor league assignment, which ended up working out well for him. The Brewers needed a first baseman with Luke Voit (neck) heading to the injured list. Ruf is hitting .261/.370/.348 with no homers and three RBI in 23 at-bats this season. He has plenty of big league experience and is normally a reliable option versus left-handed pitching. However, Ruf probably won't be worth looking at in most fantasy formats.
The San Francisco Giants activated infielder/outfielder Darin Ruf (wrist) from the 10-day injured list and designated him for assignment on Tuesday. The Giants also optioned outfielder Cal Stevenson to Triple-A Sacramento after Monday's game. Before getting injured, Ruf had six hits in 23 at-bats (.261 average) with two doubles and three RBI in nine games for the Giants at the major-league level. He went 4-for-20 with a double and an RBI in five minor-league rehab games. There's a chance the 36-year-old will remain in the organization if he passes through waivers. Ruf is currently well off the fantasy radar and is just hoping for another chance in the big leagues in 2023.
The San Francisco Giants have selected the contract of infielder Darin Ruf from Triple-A Sacramento. The 36-year-old is back with the Giants after being released by the New York Mets following spring training. Ruf will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth versus left-hander Clayton Kershaw on Wednesday. In a corresponding move, righty pitcher Sean Hjelle has been optioned to the minors to make room for Ruf on the active roster.
The New York Mets officially released first baseman Darin Ruf on Monday. The Mets designated Ruf for assignment last week, but he went unclaimed on waivers and is now free to sign with any team. The Mets acquired Ruf at last year's trade deadline from the San Francisco Giants, but he was a bust for them, hitting just .152/.216/.197 with a .413 OPS, no home runs, seven RBI and 20 strikeouts in 74 plate appearances over 28 regular season games. The 36-year-old was hampered with a wrist injury in spring training and struggled at the plate again, ultimately leading to his release. It remains to be seen how much interest he'll generate, but Ruf will likely have to settle for a minor-league deal.
The New York Mets designated outfielder Darin Ruf for assignment on Monday. The Mets currently owe Ruf $3.25 million -- $3 million for 2023 and $250,000 as a buyout on a $3.5 million option for 2024. They could try to trade him on Monday to offset some of the money. New York acquired Ruf at the trade deadline last year for J.D. Davis and pitching prospects Carson Seymour, Thomas Szapucki and Nick Zwack. The move didn't work out for the Mets, as Ruf hit just .152 with no home runs in 74 plate appearances in 2022. The 36-year-old dealt with a wrist injury in February and went just 5-for-30 with no homers in spring training. With Ruf out of the picture, Tim Locastro will make the team and could split time at designated hitter against left-handed pitchers with Tommy Pham and others.
New York Mets designated hitter Darin Ruf (neck) is in the lineup tonight against lefty Blake Snell and the San Diego Padres. After sitting out game one, Ruf is the designated hitter and will hit eighth in game two. Ruf hasn't played since September 25 due to a neck issue, but is feeling well enough to get back in the lineup tonight. Daniel Vogelbach will retreat to the bench against the lefty, as the Mets play matchups with their DH spot. Ruf has been terrible since the trade deadline, slashing .152/.216/.197 with the Mets, but still has a .753 OPS against lefties on the season. Expect the Mets to continue the lefty/righty platoon for as long as they stay in the postseason.
New York Mets outfielder and first baseman Darin Ruf (neck) could return this weekend for the Wild-Card Series against the San Diego Padres. He had been sidelined for about a week with a neck strain. Ruf "is an option for this weekend," said Mets manager Buck Showalter. The 36-year-old slashed .204/.307/.338 with 11 home runs, 45 RBI, 52 runs and two stolen bases across 388 plate appearances in 2022 with the Giants and Mets. If he's added to the playoff roster, Ruf could be an option for the Mets this weekend.
New York Mets outfielder and first baseman Darin Ruf isn't in the team's lineup on Tuesday night for a matchup with the Miami Marlins and right-handed starting pitcher Pablo Lopez. The veteran is batting .204 this season with a .307 on-base percentage, 11 home runs, and a pair of stolen bases in 388 plate appearances. He'll head to the bench with the Mets opting to start Mark Canha, Brandon Nimmo, and Tyler Naquin from left to right against the Marlins and Lopez. Pete Alonso is back at first base for New York on Tuesday after starting Sunday's game at designated hitter.
