Thursday, May 5, 2011
Posted: 7:07 p.m.By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.comCarlos Ruiz has suffered a setback in his recovery from a strained lower back and its not out of the question that he will end up on the disabled list, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Thursday.
Hes still not necessarily available, Amaro said before Ruiz sat out his sixth straight game Thursday. He took batting practice Wednesday and his swing didnt feel real good. He tweaked himself a little.
Amaro said the Phillies were not at the stage where they wanted to place Ruiz on the DL yet.
Well find out how he feels in the next day or two, he said.
If Ruiz is placed on the 15-day DL by Saturday, it could be backdated to April 27.
Oswalt returns
Roy Oswalt rejoined the Phillies on Thursday after spending eight days in his Mississippi hometown helping family members recover from a tornado that damaged his in-laws home. Oswalts three young daughters, all under 7, were shaken by the experience, but everyone in his family is healthy. He said that was a blessing because there were fatalities up the road from us.
Oswalt and his wife were in Phoenix with the Phillies when the tornado hit. His three daughters were in Mississippi with his in-laws.
MLB
My three kids were there and it woke them up in the middle of the night and they had to get down to the storm shelter, Oswalt said. It scared them pretty bad. To wake up in the middle of the night to run through rain and wind to get to the storm shelter scared them, but theyre doing fine now.
A year earlier, Oswalts childhood home was destroyed in a tornado. His mother was in the house at the time. She survived by standing in a closet.
Two devastating tornadoes in as many years can put life in perspective, but Oswalt was already pretty grounded.
Ive always said baseball is a gift youve been given to play, but it comes third or fourth on my list, he said. I can walk away from the game today and be happy. As long as you have your family -- theyre going to be there a lot longer than this game will be. A lot of people dont look at it that way. A lot of people think this is who you are as a person. Its not. Its something that youre blessed to do, and we get to do it at the highest level, but as far as the game goes, baseball doesnt mean more than my family for sure.
Amaro said he had no problem excusing Oswalt from the team during the crisis.
Family comes first around here, he said.
Oswalt spent his time in Mississippi clearing trees and driving and excavator. He did not throw a baseball. Upon returning to Philadelphia on Thursday, he threw in the bullpen. Barring any problems rebounding from that bullpen session, he is expected to be inserted into the rotation on Saturday against Atlanta.
Blanton update
Joe Blanton, on the DL with an impingement in his right elbow, threw in the bullpen Thursday and reported no problems.
Four good days, said Blanton, who could return from the DL to pitch on Monday if his bullpen session on Saturday goes well.
When Blanton is activated, the Phils are likely to send Vance Worley back to Triple A because they want him to continue to get innings as a starter. Worley has won both his starts while filling in for Blanton.E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.comRelated: Utley expected to travel to Florida on FridayBuy Phillies Gear