Milwaukee Brewers Sign 9-Year Veteran Lefty-Masher

The Milwaukee Brewers have added a lefty-killer to their roster, and have become the third team in the last five weeks for nine-year veteran outfielder/first baseman Darin Ruf. 

1B/OF Darin Ruf has been signed to a 1-year contract. pic.twitter.com/Oi6m3A9Q2H

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 15, 2023

It's a one-year deal for Ruf, who elected free agency on the weekend after the San Francisco Giants had designating for assignment and he cleared waivers. 

Ruf began the year with the New York Mets (where he finished up last season), but was released in early April and then re-signed with the Giants, where he'd spent three seasons prior to last year's trade deadline. 

Ruf has had some... rough times lately, batting just .204 last season. But as a right-handed hitter, he's seen quite a bit of success against southpaws in his career. He bats 55 points higher vs. lefties (.271) and his OPS is over 200 points higher (.886) than vs. righties. 

He'll replace Luke Voit on the active roster, who was placed in the injured list with a strained neck. Voit had been hitting just .221 with a .548 OPS and zero home runs with the Brewers. Seems like Ruf has a low bar to clear to remain in the lineup against lefties at least. 

Photo: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports