Former MLB Darin Ruf Sues Reds Over Career-Ending Injury

Former Major League Baseball player Darin Ruf has filed a lawsuit against the Cincinnati Reds alleging negligence after suffering a career-ending knee injury caused by crashing into an uncovered and unpadded metal tarp roller at Great American Ball Park during a game on June 2, 2023. The lawsuit, filed in Hamilton County, Ohio, claims the Reds failed to maintain safe field conditions and did not take reasonable precautions to protect players from this known hazard, which was partially obscured by advertising. Ruf, who played in MLB from 2012 to 2023 for several teams including the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and Milwaukee Brewers, suffered permanent knee deformities and has not played since the injury. His attorney described the incident as an avoidable risk and criticized the Reds for ignoring basic safety protocols. Ruf is seeking both punitive and compensatory damages, highlighting broader concerns about player safety standards in Major League Baseball. The Reds have not yet issued a response to the lawsuit.