Mets designate Ruf; Locastro added to roster (source)

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets on Monday designated veteran Darin Ruf for task earlier than the beginning of the common season, ending the final competitors in camp. Rather than take Ruf as a right-handed designated-hitter choice, the Mets are set to hold speedy fifth outfielder Tim Locastro, a supply advised MLB.com.

The membership additionally chosen right-hander Tommy Hunter to the Major League roster.

Ruf, 36, batted simply .152/.216/.197 with out a residence run after coming to the Mets in a commerce with the Giants final August. The crew gave up 4 gamers to get him, together with J.D. Davis, who produced an .857 OPS after the commerce, and prospect Thomas Szapucki, who posted a 1.98 ERA as a reliever.

The Mets didn’t do a lot to handle their DH scenario over the winter, nevertheless, bringing Ruf again to function the right-handed half of a platoon with Daniel Vogelbach. He reported to camp nursing a sore proper wrist, which was the results of arthritis. Then he hit .167/.265/.233 in 11 spring video games.

Still, Mets groups of the previous might need carried Ruf on the Opening Day roster due to the $3.25 million they nonetheless owe him. The complicating issue turned Locastro, a 30-year-old veteran who gives one thing totally different: notably, top-tier velocity. Over 23 spring appearances, Locastro stole six bases with out being caught, benefiting from Major League Baseball’s newer, bigger bases and smaller basepaths. He additionally produced a .907 OPS.

Locastro has stolen 39 bases in 44 makes an attempt over a six-year massive league profession.

Carrying Locastro as an alternative of Ruf permits the Mets to begin free-agent signing Tommy Pham each time the crew performs a left-handed pitcher. It additionally provides them the good thing about utilizing Locastro off the bench for pinch-running alternatives or defensive assist late in video games.