Just a day after a brief injury scare, Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz will begin a "rehab" assignment starting Tuesday. "Rehab" may not be the best word choice, particularly after a suspension for taking not-approved drugs, but Ruiz will get the opportunity to get back into playing shape with five games of competitive action. Ruiz will join the Clearwater Threshers.
Ruiz has been in extended Spring Training with the Phillies, playing alongside lower-level Phillies prospects and the rehabbing Delmon Young. Ruiz will be eligible to return to the starting lineup on Sunday, provided there are no rainouts between now and then. Ruiz's return should help put the Phillies lineup into a better position. Ruiz can reclaim his former number five spot in the Phillies batting order, allowing Michael Young to hit second and John Mayberry to hit seventh or eighth until Delmon Young returns.
Ruiz's second x-ray showed that he was cleared to return, Jim Salisbury of CSN reports.
