New York Mets fans annoyed seeing Darin Ruf with team at Spring Training: "Get this man out of here" "I thought we let him go"

Mets fans descended upon a tweet from MLB.com beat writer Anthony DiComo showing Ruf making his initial appearance with the team at Spring Training camp in Port St. Lucie, Fla. It was disappointing news for most, to say the least.

The New York Mets signed Darin Ruf -- primarily a designated hitter/pinch hitter -- during the 2022 Trade Deadline. For Ruf, who hit just .216 with 11 home runs in 90 games with the San Francisco Giants at the time of the trade, the Mets sent first baseman/designated hitter JD Davis and three minor leaguers to the Bay Area.

Needless to say, Ruf did not endear himself to Mets fans after going to New York. The 35-year-old hit just .152 with zero homers in 28 games with the Mets, providing little to nothing for his new team during their playoff push. He played in just one postseason game with New York, walking once, getting hit by a pitch once, and striking out once.

Darin Ruf's numbers over an eight-year major-league career have been far from eye-popping. He is a career .239 hitter with 67 total home runs and 202 RBIs with the Mets, Giants, and Philadelphia Phillies. Still, some see potential in the now 36-year-old veteran hitter.

New York Mets fans generally carry their heart on their sleeve -- and yell about it. The news regarding Darin Ruf's return has ruined a lot of New Yorkers' days. Ruf's 2021 campaign looked a lot further away than a calendar year as he stumbled his way through two months with the Mets.

At least Ruf won't have to scroll through all the New York Mets fan displeasure on his mobile device.

Darin Ruf will have to be better for New York Mets

Ruf will have competition for designated hitter from MLB journeyman Tommy Pham and young prospect Mark Vientos.

Daniel Vogelbach, who weighed in at 270 pounds last season but has dropped upwards of 25 pounds this spring, is penciled in as the Mets' left-handed DH. The team picked up Volgelbach's $1.5 million option for 2023 after acquiring him from the Pittsburgh Pirates last summer.

About the author

Born in Minneapolis, Minn., Tom has covered sports since 2004. Tom grew up a fan of the Chicago Cubs because his dad didn't like the hometown Twins playing indoors. He goes to Wrigley Field several times a year. His favorite sports moment was being at Wrigley when the Cubs won the 2016 National League Pennant.

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