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Darin Ruf makes his long awaited return to the Phillies, taking Cliff Lee's spot as he heads to the 15 day DL.
OF/1B @Druf15 recalled from @IronPigs to fill Cliff Lee’s spot on 25-man roster. #PhilliesUpdate
— Phillies (@Phillies) May 21, 2014
Darin Ruf had a mixed bag of a season in 2013. He suffered a left oblique strain this spring and has been on the road to recovery since. During his rehab stint, he has batted .261/.314/.441 (46 AB) with Lehigh Valley and Clearwater. He has homered once (May 19) and has collected 2 doubles (May 20), 4 walks, 9 strikeouts and a baffling stealing of 3rd base in a game.
What does this mean for this weekend, when it is likely the Phillies will need another starter? Speculation has David Buchanan making his MLB debut on Saturday. If the Phillies do call up the young righthander, they will need to make a corresponding move, which would include either sending Ruf back down or demoting Tony Gwynn Jr.