Phillies Catcher Carlos Ruiz to Rehab in Reading

READING, Pa.---Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz will join the Reading Fightin Phils on Major League rehab assignment Friday and Saturday when the team returns home after a seven-game homestand to face the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays). Friday's game at FirstEnergy Stadium starts at 7:05 p.m. and Saturday's game begins at 6:05 p.m.

Ruiz is currently in the midst of a 25-game suspension after testing positive for a banned substance during the offseason. Prior to playing Reading on Friday and Saturday, Ruiz is scheduled to play a pair of games with the Clearwater Threshers (A+) tonight and Wednesday. He can join the Phillies on Sunday when they face the New York Mets at Citi Field. 

The catcher will be making his first trip back to Reading since playing with the club from 2003-2004. During his 2004 season in Baseballtown, Ruiz hit 17 home runs and drove in 50 runs while hitting .284. His home run total was second among Eastern League catchers (Eli Whiteside, Bowie, 18). 

Last season, the Panamanian earned his first All-Star selection and set career highs in hits (121), doubles (32), home runs (16), RBIs (68), runs (56), extra-base hits (48), and total bases (201). He also hit .325 and caught a career-high 21 of 85 potential base stealers. 

Signed as an amateur free agent by Philadelphia in 1998, Ruiz started every postseason game in 2008 at catcher and helped the Phillies go on to win their second World Series in team history. 

Tickets for both Friday and Saturday's games at FirstEnergy Stadium are available by visiting Fightins.com, calling the Fightin Phils Ticket Office at 610-370-BALL, or by visiting the Fightin Phils Ticket Office in person at FirstEnergy Stadium. Both games will feature a post-game fireworks show thanks to All Star Distributing/Labatt Blue on the 26th and Carpenter Technology Corp. on the 27th.