DARIN RUF NEWS

Reaches free agency The Mets released Ruf on Sunday.

Impact Ruf becomes a free agent after he went unclaimed off waivers upon being designated for assignment last week. After slugging a career-high 16 home runs with the Giants in 2021, Ruf took a significant step back at the plate last season while serving largely as a short-side platoon option for San Francisco and then New York, who acquired him at the trade deadline. Ruf failed to show much improvement during spring training while he also nursed a wrist injury and was ultimately booted off the 40-man roster prior to Opening Day. As a 35-year-old coming off a poor season who is limited to first base and the corner outfield, Ruf might have to settle for a minor-league deal in free agency as he looks to keep his career going.

APRIL 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mets cut Ruf following failed trade, set opening day roster

Darin Ruf has been cut by the New York Mets as the team set its opening day roster

MARCH 27, 2023 • Associated Press

Mets designate Darin Ruf for assignment The Mets designated first baseman/outfielder Darin Ruf for assignment on Monday, ending his short tenure in New York.

MARCH 27, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

New York Mets Designate Darin Ruf for Assignment The Mets have designated Darin Ruf for assignment and will keep Tim Locastro on their bench.

MARCH 27, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Loses spot on 40-man roster The Mets will designate Ruf for assignment Monday, a source tells Joel Sherman of The New York Post reports.

Impact Ruf's removal from the 40-man roster comes after he mustered a lowly .413 OPS in 74 plate appearances for the Mets last season upon coming over in a deadline deal with the Giants. He then continued to struggle in Grapefruit League play this spring, batting just .167 in 35 plate appearances while also managing a wrist issue. Though Ruf has been an above-average contributor at the plate over parts of eight seasons in the majors (110 wRC+), his prolonged slump and lack of defensive flexibility may be enough to deter teams from putting in a waiver claim for the 36-year-old, who has $3.25 million remaining on his contract. With Ruf moving off the 40-man roster, the Mets are now likely to include outfielder Tim Locastro on their Opening Day squad.

MARCH 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

In Wednesday's lineup Ruf (wrist) is starting at first base and batting sixth in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

Impact Ruf has battled through wrist issues during spring training and is 3-for-23 in seven contests. A move to the injured list to begin the season has been mentioned for the 36-year-old, who also struggled after being acquired by the Mets at last year's trade deadline with a .413 OPS. Even if he sticks on the Opening Day roster, Ruf's opportunities are likely to be limited as a right-handed platoon and bench option.

MARCH 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

How Much Rope Should the Mets Give Darin Ruf in 2023? The 36-year-old struggled after being acquired by the Mets at the trade deadline in 2022, and is 3-for-20 so far this spring.

MARCH 20, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Could begin season on IL Ruf's ongoing wrist issues and struggles at the plate this spring could lead to him beginning the season on the injured list, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Impact The veteran slugger was expected to fill a role as a right-handed platoon option at DH and bench bat, but he's gone 2-for-11 this spring with five strikeouts when he's been healthy enough to play at all. Giving the Mets extra incentive to place him on IL has been the performance of some prospects in camp, notably Mark Vientos, who is slashing .306/.324/.556 with two homers and three doubles in 37 plate appearances this spring, albeit with a 1:14 BB:K. Vientos would also offer a little more defensive versatility off the bench than Ruf if he winds up on the Opening Day roster.

MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action this week Ruf (wrist) is starting at first base and batting cleanup for the Mets on Friday in their Grapefruit League contest versus the Cardinals, Michael Mayer of Metzmerized reports.

Impact Ruf made his spring debut Tuesday after recovering from a right wrist issue which plagued him early on in camp. The 36-year-old will see action against left-handed pitching for the Mets this season, primarily at DH.

MARCH 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Darin Ruf to Make New York Mets Spring Training Debut on Tuesday Darin Ruf is set to make his Spring Training debut with the Mets on Tuesday night.

MARCH 7, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Limited to cage work Ruf (wrist) took batting practice in an indoor cage over the weekend and is expected to move up to live batting practice in the next couple days, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Impact The 36-year-old slugger got a cortisone shot in his right wrist last week after reporting some soreness as he was ramping up his activity level. Ruf is expected to be fully healthy by Opening Day, but he'll likely be limited to a platoon role this year, getting some starts at DH and being used as a pinch hitter against left-handed pitching.

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

For Mets offense with a lot of answers, Darin Ruf remains a question at DH Few Mets have as important a spring training in front of them as Ruf.

FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Ruf looks to get back to lefty-crushing old self PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- So convinced were the Mets by Darin Ruf’s track record heading into last August that they sent the Giants not only J...

FEBRUARY 22, 2023 • MLB.COM

New York Mets DH Darin Ruf Dealing With Wrist Injury New York Mets’ right-handed DH option, Darin Ruf, is dealing with a wrist injury that will keep him limited across the next few days at a mi...

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Sidelined with sore wrist Mets manager Buck Showalter said Tuesday that Ruf (wrist) will be limited over the next 2-3 days, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Impact Ruf has been fighting through some right wrist soreness in Mets camp and received an injection to hopefully aid the healing process. The expectation is that he will be able to resume hitting before the end of the week. It wouldn't seem that his readiness for Opening Day is at all in question at the moment.

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mets stars shine, NY saves season with 7-3 win over Padres

Pete Alonso launched a tiebreaking homer and Jacob deGrom pitched well enough to help save the New York Mets’ season with a 7-3 victory over the San Diego Padres that evened their...

OCTOBER 9, 2022 • Associated Press

Marte in Mets lineup, Álvarez also on playoff roster vs Pads

All-Star right fielder Starling Marte was in the New York Mets’ starting lineup for their playoff opener Friday night against San Diego, back from a broken finger that sidelined hi...

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • Associated Press

Back for wild-card round Ruf (neck) was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday and is on the roster for the Mets' NL Wild Card Series against the Padres, Deesha Thosar of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Ruf spent the final and a half of the season on the shelf with a neck strain, but he's back with the team for the start of the playoffs. The 36-year-old had a .152/.216/.197 slash line in 29 games for the Mets and will provide depth at first base and the corner outfield.

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mets and Padres square off to start the NL Wild Card Series

The New York Mets play the San Diego Padres on Friday in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • Associated Press

New York Mets Injury Updates: Starling Marte, Darin Ruf New York Mets injury updates: Starling Marte, Darin Ruf.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Could return this weekend Manager Buck Showalter said Wednesday that Ruf (neck) will be an option for this weekend's NL Wild Card Series against the Padres, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Impact Ruf has been sidelined for the last week due to a neck strain, but he's eligible to be reinstated from the injured list ahead of Friday's series opener against San Diego. Whether he's added to the Mets' postseason roster remains to be seen, but it's at least encouraging that the 36-year-old will be in the mix to return.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nationals bring 4-game losing streak into matchup against the Mets

The Washington Nationals head into the matchup with the New York Mets as losers of four straight games

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • Associated Press

Mets look to stop 3-game skid, play the Nationals

The New York Mets look to break a three-game losing streak when they play the Washington Nationals

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • Associated Press

Nationals visit the Mets for season opener

The New York Mets host the Washington Nationals for the season opener

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • Associated Press

SF Giants end home slate same way as it started — a walk-off win SAN FRANCISCO — Six months ago, on Opening Day, the Giants were still riding high from their 107-win season. Brandon Belt was still “The Cap...

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM