MIAMI - An alarming situation worsened yesterday when catcher Carlos Ruiz returned to Philadelphia to have his sprained left wrist examined.

An MRI conducted by team physician Michael Ciccotti revealed no structural damage but showed inflammation, according to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. The team will decide today whether Ruiz needs a cortisone shot, which would render him unavailable for three to five days.

"It was actually good news, because there was no structural damage," Amaro said. "Wrists are tricky."

Ruiz injured the wrist during the home series against Washington last week when he was hit by a foul tip while catching. He aggravated the injury Friday in Atlanta during a collision at the plate with the Braves' Matt Diaz.

After missing three games, Ruiz returned for the nightcap of Tuesday's doubleheader, saying he felt much improved. But as the game progressed, the pain returned.

"He said he felt it when he caught," said manager Charlie Manuel, who removed Ruiz in the eighth inning.

Ruiz is a key player for the Phils, who lack organizational catching depth. Paul Bako and Paul Hoover remain in Miami with the team, and Jayson Werth and Eric Bruntlett could serve as emergency catchers.

Asked if he was comfortable with the available catchers, Amaro said: "I don't have much of a choice. . . . We have Hoover and Bako now. Clearly, we need Ruiz for our club."

Bastardo throwing

With the Phillies short of healthy lefthanded relievers, Antonio Bastardo is throwing at the team's minor-league complex in Clearwater, Fla., in case he is needed this season, Amaro said.

Bastardo has missed most of the season with a strained left shoulder, his second shoulder problem in two years. But Amaro said the pitcher was healthy now.

"It's a concern any time a guy has shoulder issues, but he's throwing well," Amaro said.

Manuel later offered a reminder of the Phillies' injury problems when he said lefthander Scott Eyre would be restricted in a number of ways.

Eyre needs surgery to remove a "loose body" causing pain in his pitching elbow. While available, Eyre will not be able to pitch on consecutive days, and Manuel will need discretion in asking him to warm up.

"Once I get him up and then sit him down, he's going to be tight," Manuel said.

Myers rejoins team

Righthander Brett Myers returned to Miami yesterday from Philadelphia, bringing with him a diagnosis of a strained back muscle. The Phils continued to say they hoped Myers could have a bullpen session Tuesday and return this season.

Both Amaro and Manuel denied that Myers returned from hip surgery too soon, or was used too frequently. Myers made his first appearance on Sept. 5, pitched five times in the next seven days, and then suffered the injury.

"No, I think it just happened," Amaro said. "It's part of pitching. It just happened."

"If you're hurt, we don't want to play you, bottom line," Manuel said.

Myers first reported the injury Sept. 12 and did not see Ciccotti, the team physician, until eight days later. Why the delay?

"We just shut him down," Amaro said. "We were hoping it would kind of work its way out, but it wasn't progressing enough."

Extra bases

Chan Ho Park (hamstring) played catch yesterday at Land Shark Stadium, then left for Clearwater for rehabilitation. The team hopes he can pitch again during the regular season. . . . J.A. Happ (side muscle strain) will return to the rotation tonight in Milwaukee.