CLEARWATER, Fla. – In the course of about 20 minutes Friday afternoon, Darin Ruf felt the highs and lows of a big-league spring training camp.

Ruf cracked a long, solo home run over the leftfield wall in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Phillies to a 7-6 win over the Atlanta Braves. The home run delighted the sellout crowd of 10,037 and brought Phillies players out of the dugout to congratulate the beaming Ruf.

A few minutes later, Ruf was in the clubhouse reliving his game-winning blast with reporters. The 26-year-old Nebraskan, who slugged his way onto the Phillies’ radar last season, spoke of how he believed his swing was coming around and how he still hoped to make opening day roster.

Moments after the interview ended, hitting coach Steve Henderson appeared in the clubhouse and summoned Ruf to manager Charlie Manuel’s office.

Ruf knew what was up.

The euphoria of a game-winning home run was quickly replaced with the disappointment of learning that his bid to make the club was over. Hours before Ruf’s decisive home run, Phillies officials had decided that he would be shipped to Triple A after the game. Club officials believe Ruf can be a productive big-league hitter, but he must improve his play in leftfield to get that chance.

A first baseman who only began playing leftfield last summer, Ruf will play the position at least five days a week at Triple A. He will also get some time at first base as he remains insurance for Ryan Howard.

“He’s getting better in leftfield. He’s improved,” GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “But he’s got work to do to be an everyday leftfielder in the big leagues. I think he’s going to be adequate leftfielder at some point. But he’s only played a month of pro ball at the position and needs experience. In our situation, where defense is important, it’s tough for us to get him that experience here. He needs reps.”

In addition to Ruf, the Phillies also sent nonroster outfielder Jermaine Mitchell to the minor-league camp.

The transactions offered a strong hint as to what the Phillies outfield situation might look like when rosters are finalized next weekend.

Ben Revere is the centerfielder. Domonic Brown is the rightfielder. John Mayberry Jr. and Laynce Nix could open the season in a leftfield platoon and Rule 5 pick Ender Inciarte could make the team has a defensive-minded fifth outfielder.

There is also a chance, Amaro said, that the Phils could trade for an outfielder.

“There’s a lot of time left,” Amaro said. “If we can improve the team we’ll do it.”

While the outfield picture became a little clearer, the infield situation is still up in the air. Kevin Frandsen, Freddy Galvis andYuniesky Betancourt are vying for two utility spots. That situation could get clearer on Sunday when the team is contractually obliged to tell Betancourt whether he has made the team. Betancourt can otherwise opt out of his minor-league deal.

Amaro said it was possible, but unlikely, that the team would break with three utility infielders.

Ruf won the hearts of Phillies fans and team officials when he went from a non-prospect to minor-league baseball’s home run king in 2012. He hit .317 with 38 homers and 104 RBIs in 139 games at Double A Reading last season and won the Eastern League MVP award. He added another homer in the playoffs, three in a September stint in the majors, and 10 in winter ball in Venezuela to finish the year with 52.

With Howard cemented at first base, the Phils moved Ruf to leftfield last summer. Ruf had never played there, but it was seen as his only path to the majors – with the Phillies, at least.

In camp this spring, Ruf participated in hours upon hours of outfield drills, but struggled in games.

“I’m a little disappointed because I thought I was farther along than I was in the outfield,” he admitted. “This was a good eye-opener. I need to keep working so I can take advantage if another opportunity presents itself.”

At the plate, Ruf started slow but warmed on his way to hitting .246 (14 for 57) with six doubles, two homers and nine RBIs.

Manager Charlie Manuel is a big fan of Ruf. (Charlie loves hitters.)

“I think he has a bright career,” Manuel said. “He’s got a good hack and easy power. His bat could carry him. He just needs to play and learn more about leftfield. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get to the big leagues this year. I’ll be pulling for him.”

Ruf is a smart, good-natured guy. He has a degree in finance from Creighton. In the often-entitled world of a major league clubhouse, he was a breath of fresh air with his wide-eyed appreciation of his time in big-league camp. That appreciation was still apparent Friday, from the time he was mobbed at home plate after his game-winning homer to the moment he learned he was headed back to the minor leagues.

“It’s part of the game,” he said. “Hopefully at some point I’ll be able to get back here and help out.”