Arkansas Outfielder Ruiz Faces a Month‑Long Knee Break

Damian Ruiz, the Arkansas baseball team’s key left fielder, will be sidelined for roughly a month after hurting his left knee during a recent game. The injury happened when he leapt for a home‑run ball, and an MRI revealed damage to his patellar tendon rather than a complete tear. Coach Dave Van Horn emphasized the importance of allowing time for healing, noting that the team is doing everything possible to support Ruiz’s recovery. Despite the setback, Ruiz joined the squad in Springfield wearing a knee brace and expressed a desire to travel with the team rather than stay home. He will be part of the upcoming trip to Auburn, where Arkansas is set to face the 11th‑ranked Tigers in a three‑game series starting Thursday.The Razorbacks will be without two of their outfielders for Tuesday’s game: Ruiz and center fielder Maika Niu, who is battling strep throat. With both players out, the coaching staff has promoted freshmen Carter Rutenbar to left field and Christian Turner to center. Rutenbar will take the leadoff spot, a position normally held by Ruiz, for the second straight game. Ruiz’s offensive numbers are impressive: a . 330 batting average, three home runs, five doubles and 12 RBIs. He also leads the team with eight stolen bases out of nine attempts. Niu, a transfer from Marshall, boasts a . 311 average with five home runs, eight doubles and 28 RBIs. Coach Van Horn highlighted that injuries have plagued the team more than a dozen times this season, but he remains optimistic about Ruiz’s progress. The player will continue traveling with the team while wearing a mask on buses and planes to protect teammates, and he is expected to return by the weekend if recovery goes well.