Former Major League Baseball player Darin Ruf is suing the Cincinnati Reds for damages after a career-ending injury he suffered at Great American Ballpark two years ago. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Hamilton County Court in Ohio, accuses the Reds of negligence for not maintaining safe field conditions, specifically pointing to an uncovered, unpadded metal tarp roller.
Ruf, who was playing first base for the Milwaukee Brewers at the time, was injured on June 2, 2023, during a game against the Reds. While chasing a foul pop-up in the third inning, his knee struck the sharp, exposed end of the tarp roller, causing significant damage. The injury forced Ruf onto the 60-day injured list, and he never returned to Major League play.
“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.”
His attorney, Tad Thomas, called the presence of the unpadded metal roller “an obvious and avoidable risk,” adding that basic safety standards should be followed by every MLB team. The lawsuit also alleges that the Reds were responsible for the reckless behavior of their grounds crew in allowing such dangerous equipment to remain exposed.
Ruf, 38, played in the majors from 2012 through 2023 with several teams including the Phillies, Giants, Mets, and Brewers, compiling a .239 batting average with 67 home runs over his career. He is seeking both punitive and compensatory damages in the case. The Reds have not yet commented on the lawsuit.
