Carlos Ruiz was struck in his left hand last night in the 9th inning against the Boston Red Sox. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, X-rays came back negative and Ruiz feels “fine.” Of course, Ruiz is suspended for the first 25 games of the year after failing a drug test. This spring, the Panama native is batting .238 with six RBIs and one home run in 21 at-bats.- In a minor league game versus Toronto on Friday, outfielder Delmon Young mashed a home run in his second at-bat off of R.A. Dickey. This was his first appearance since undergoing ankle surgery. Seeing Young return with a bang is definitely a welcoming sight for Philadelphia fans. If healthy, Young will see plenty of playing time in the corner outfield. He makes up for his struggles in the field by providing offensive power. Last season with the Detroit Tigers, the 27-year old batted .267 with 74 RBIs and 18 home runs. He’s a career .284 hitter and had his best season in 2010 with Minnesota when he totaled 112 RBIs and 21 RBIs. The Phillies are hoping he can replicate his past seasons in his first year in Philadelphia.
- Atlanta named Tim Hudson their Opening Day starter against the Phillies. He will counter the Phillies’ Opening Day starter, Cole Hamels. In his career against Philadelphia, Hudson is 10-9 with a 3.75 ERA. He is one punch out away from having 100 career strikeouts against the Phillies. In 2012, Hudson went 3-1 with a 3.99 ERA in five starts against Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Hamels is 12-7 with a 3.58 ERA in 27 career starts versus Atlanta.
- In Friday’s game against the Atlanta Braves, catcher Erik Kratz had a terrific day at the plate, smashing his second home run of the spring. He also added a double. Let’s hope he can carry that over into the regular season as he will be the everyday starter while Ruiz serves his suspension.
- Darin Ruf was sent down to AAA moments after delivering a walk-off home run in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves. He will start the season in Lehigh Valley.
Guess it will be Mayberry in left, platooning with nix, not a good combo there compared to what could be a diamond in the rough with ruf, I expect we will see ruf sooner than later if he continues to hit bombs like last year in reading
Is Delmon Young not starting the year with the big club? Is he staying behind in Florida to continue rehab?
Who plays right and left field? Does Brown stay in one outfield spot permanently during or if a Nix/Mayberry platoon is being used or swing like a pendulum between both spots.
Darin Ruf has been HORRIBLE this spring.
Phils release Y Bettancourt.. a mistake I believe…
I am not sold on Utley’s heatlh or Galvis’s light hitting
wow that’s a joke why release a guy that earned a spot???
scratch that he has a track record of being a poor hitter, is 31 and we would’ve had to pay him $1.6 mill. happy trails