Tough break for the Phillies today in Kissimmee, Florida. According to many published reports, including Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Phillies first baseman/outfielder Darin Ruf sustained a strained oblique muscle during batting practice today. The injury almost guarantees that Ruf will miss opening day.
Ruf was a strong candidate to break the Phillies Opening Day roster. Ruf's injury likely increases the chances that one of John Mayberry, Bobby Abreu, or Tony Gwynn, Jr. make the roster who would not otherwise have been picked. None of them can replicate Ruf's power bat, however.
