Mets trade J.D. Davis, three others to Giants for Darin Ruf

The New York Mets will celebrate the return of ace Jacob deGrom for an MLB start for the first time since July 7 of last year when he faces the Washington Nationals on Tuesday evening. 

New York added a right-handed bat to the mix hours ahead of that contest and the MLB trade deadline. 

Per Danny Abriano of SNY and Anthony DiComo of the MLB website, the Mets have acquired veteran designated hitter and utility man Darin Ruf from the San Francisco Giants. In return, the Mets are sending San Francisco DH J.D. Davis and pitching prospects Thomas Szapucki, Nick Zwack and Carson Seymour. 

Ruf joins the Mets hitting .216 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI on the season but has an .887 OPS against left-handed pitchers. DiComo adds that the 36-year-old will likely split DH duties with Daniel Vogelbach and Tyler Naquin moving forward. 

Additionally, Ruf is scheduled to make $3 million next season and is on a club option worth $3.5 million for 2024. 

As for Davis, he had struggled at the plate throughout the campaign and was likely to be replaced before Tuesday evening. The 29-year-old is slashing .238/.324/.359 with four home runs and 21 RBI. 

The first-place Mets entered Tuesday holding a three-and-a-half-game lead over the second-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East standings.