Ruf discusses oblique injury

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Phillies first baseman-outfielder Darin Ruf says he will likely get an MRI on his left oblique injury later today and hopes he will heal quickly. For now, however, there is obvious discomfort.

"It hurts when I cough, and sneeze and laugh and stuff like that so it doesn't feel great, but if a couple of days of treatment, hopefully that will help," Ruf said, speaking this morning in the Phillies clubhouse.

The injury occurred during batting practice prior to Thursday's 6-3 win over the Houston Astros in Kissimmee.

"It was my last swing in the second round and I felt it grab," he said. "I tried to get in the third round and couldn't even swing."

Ruf said that he had some discomfort for about a week,

"It wasn't to the point where I couldn't do anything or had to say something, but just a little, a normal tightness in the area," he said.

He said he was able to cope with it and felt he would be able to get through the initial discomfort.

"It I got loose and got swings in the cage, it was very manageable," he said.

Ruf, a bench hopeful, who can offer right-handed power, isn't discounting being ready for the season, but these injuries usually take weeks if not longer to heal.

For instance Chase Utley suffered an oblique injury in batting practice last May and missed 28 games. There are obviously different degrees of severity and Ruf won't know until seeing the MRI results.

"I like to think I am a quick healer," Ruf said. "I strained a hamstring before and was back in a couple of days so hopefully it is not as bad as it feels right now."