KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf has strained his left oblique muscle during batting practice and is being scratched from Thursday's lineup.
Ruf was scheduled to bat third for the Phillies' split-squad game against the Houston Astros. Steve Susdorf has replaced him in left field and batted ninth.
Ruf, who is batting .217 with two home runs in 18 spring training games, returned to Clearwater for a medical evaluation.