Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Add another notch to the story of Darin Ruf and the New York Mets.

Mets manager Buck Showalter stated that the designated hitter received an injection in his right wrist, and will more than likely need at least two to three days before he can begin any hitting activity. When asked about the wrist, Ruf stated to reporters that this was something he’d like to take care of at the current moment instead of playing through it. He also said it’s something he’s dealt with throughout his playing career.

“It’s just something over the last few years that’s bothered me,” said Ruf to reporters in front of his locker, “then ramping up for this spring, got to a point where I thought it would be beneficial to take care of it instead of trying to grind through it another year.” Ruf also said that he didn’t think he could have been as productive to the team with having to go through the way this wrist was feeling.

Last season, Ruf was acquired from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for third baseman J.D. Davis and pitchers Thomas Szapucki, Nick Zwack, and Carson Seymour. Although at the time of the trade Ruf tallied a line of .216/.328/.373 with 11 home runs through 90 games, his career numbers against lefties were better, as he owned an OPS+ of 113 and an OPS of .929 against left-handed pitching.

Seen as a right-handed complement to the designated hitter spot with Daniel Vogelbach, the team expected Ruf to help carry the load. Unfortunately for Ruf and the Mets, that production from the right side never came, as he only posted a line of .152/.216/.197 and without hitting a home run across 66 at-bats over 28 games played, which also included being benched in favor of Mark Vientos and Francisco Álvarez. Meanwhile, the departed Davis hit.263 with eight home runs and an .857 OPS in 49 games with the Giants, adding salt to the wound.

When asked about his struggles last season, Ruf talked about midseason trades and having a comfort level, to which he alluded that he had trouble acclimating to a different team. Thus, his performance struggled. “I think midseason trades are tough on anybody,” said Ruf. “I think performance stems from being comfortable, being in a rhythm, and I think whenever a midseason trade happens, it affects people differently, and my performance suffered from that.”

Ruf also noted that “Inches matter in this game. In 2021, when I had my best year, I felt like every inch went my way. Every ball that I hit just went off someone’s glove or over the fence. If they were going to make a diving play, they just missed it. Last year, a lot of the times, it was the reverse for me.”

This is a pivotal spring for the 36-year-old as he enters the final year of a two-year, $6.25 million contract. Ruf will need to show the team and the fans that he is capable of providing the right-handed power the designated hitter spot will require for this season.

Seen primarily as an option for the DH spot, Ruf will have to battle out a spot on the roster with his bat. His options are now limited and his competition has grown as the Mets have brought to camp numerous players who can play different spots and bring different talents to the table. His outfield time will diminish with the signing of Tommy Pham, as well as prospects like Álvarez and Vientos.