May 8, 2014, 1:00 p.m.
@Philabaseball
The Phillies are in desperate need of an offensive spark, so Darin Ruf beginning a rehab assignment with Class-A Clearwater on Thursday is a big deal.
Ruf suffered an oblique sprain during spring training after batting .247 with 14 home runs and 30 RBIs in 73 games last season, with time split between first base, left field and right field.
The Phillies are hitting .218 over the last five games and averaging 2.5 runs per game over that span.
With Jimmy Rollins dealing with a groin issue and Freddy Galvis mired in an epic 2-for-32 slump at the plate, the thought of having Ruf as an option is appealing to manager Ryne Sandberg.
"We need something to change," Sandberg said Wednesday following the Phillies 10-0 loss to Toronto.
Heading into Wednesday's contest in Toronto the bench was hitting just .181.
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