Ex-player Ruf sues over injury that ended career

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Performers from Cirque du Soleil throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Thursday’s game at Rogers Centre in Toronto. Chris Young / ap

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The Associated Press

Former major league outfielder/first baseman Darin Ruf is suing the Reds for damages after he suffered a career-ending injury while crashing into an uncovered tarp roller at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati two years ago.

The lawsuit filed Thursday in the Hamilton County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas charges the Reds with negligence in failing to maintain safe field conditions and specifically cites the presence of the unpadded metal tarp roller.

“This didn’t need to happen,” Ruf said in a statement. “Players shouldn’t have to worry about hidden hazards like that on a major league field.”

Ruf was playing first base for Milwaukee when he was injured during the third inning of the Brewers’ 5-4, 11-inning victory over the Reds on June 2, 2023. In the third inning, Ruf was chasing a foul pop when his knee hit the end of the tarp roller.

According to the complaint, Ruf suffered “permanent and substantial deformities to his knee.” Ruf went on the 60-day injured list and never played in the major leagues again.

Ruf’s complaint says the end of the tarp roller was made of sharp metal and had no protective cushioning or cap.

Ruf is seeking punitive and compensatory damages. The complaint says the Reds didn’t take reasonable precautions to keep the stadium safe and also are liable for the negligent acts of the grounds crew’s “reckless” conduct.

Ruf, 38, played in the majors from 2012-23 with the Philadelphia Phillies (2012-16), San Francisco Giants (2020-22, 2023), New York Mets (2022) and Brewers (2023). He batted .239 with a .329 on-base percentage, 67 homers and 205 RBIs in 582 career games.

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Acuña tore the ACL in his left knee last May 26 and had surgery on June 6. Acuña played six games in the minors on a rehab assignment, going 6 for 15 with two homers and now is ready to get back to the majors.

The outfielder played in only 49 games last season, batting .250 with four homers, 15 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and a .716 OPS.

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