Carlos Ruiz bothered by foot injury
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Carlos Ruiz bothered by foot injury
Matt Gelb
ATLANTA — This was bound to happen. Carlos Ruiz is tied for most games played by a catcher and only three others have squatted behind home plate for more innings. He raced through the first half of the season with a .350 batting average and largely avoided the hazards of everyday catching.
Then he woke up one morning in Los Angeles and his left foot started bothering him. Charlie Manuel termed it as mild plantar fasciitis. It became such an issue he pinch-hit last week vs. Milwaukee wearing sneakers instead of cleats — and tied the game with a sacrifice fly.
"It felt like a knife in the back of my foot," Ruiz said.
He sat again Saturday, which represented his second time on the bench in the Phillies' last three games. He plans to play Sunday afternoon. Combined with off days in the schedule, Ruiz will have the luxury of sitting four out of six days.
Ruiz needs it.
"It's good to have a day off," he said.
Ruiz noted there is improvement in the foot, especially Saturday. He has done some different stretches and received treatment for the injury.
Ruiz is tied with St. Louis's Yadier Molina in games played (87) among all major-league catchers and fourth in innings caught (696).
Since the start of that series in Los Angeles, Ruiz is hitting .267 (8 for 30) with four doubles. His season batting average is .344, which is the lowest since May 16 (.343).
"Chooch has had trouble with his foot," Manuel said. "At the same time, he can play."
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This is a highly manageable injury if treated proactively. Surgery should not be needed. They should give him a short couple-game rest while they apply expert physical therapy and stretching and then see how much he can continue to play. Then, if he thinks he shouldn't play a particular game, he should let them know. But the treatment should continue until the fasciitis resolves. With the defensive problems at third base and in the outfield and his clutch defense and hitting, the Phils need Carlos more than ever. Mild plantar fasciitis under treatment is something he can play with. If it continues, treatment during the off season can clear it up for good. I've seen a golf ball rolled with pressure between the bottom of the foot and floor, reps of 10, do wonders for this.— stumpman- Radiation therapy will take care of it quickly.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120727102446.htm
— Xyzzyx - The Phillies ae going nowhere....correct that....they are nowhere and won't be leaving anytime soon. Let him sit all he wants.— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- I was concerned this would happen. He played so much the first month after the all star break. Him and Miguel Montero of the dbacks play more then any catcher in the MLB. Of course Charlie had a desperate scenario and taking his best hitter out of the lineup. Hope Chooch is ok soon.— philsfan in the atx
- Physical therapy for this work for me. It's a common problem. The therapy strengthens the foot to take stress off of the facia. And Choosh - no hard shoes! Wear soft soles all the time.— jerseyshorefan
- GIve him the rest of the year off. Heck most of his teammates already took the year off. Our basset hound GM is on the case.— lazyboy
- Of course chooch should be rested but he will not be because Manuel is a selfish jerk who is more concerned about saving his job than the health of Chooch— gates2012
- Why is that homeplate umpire a MLB umpire? The 3rd strike pitch was 5 in. off plate. Umpires are going to get very tired of Blanton's act. Howard has to learn to let that outside pitch go by. Ryan could not reach them. The difference with Howard now and his first 3 years is his going out of the strike zone.— Don w
- You gotta tape that thing up and its good to go. 6 months before mine kinda healed— hipdaddy
I've had this condition. It is extremely hard to put any weight on your foot without pain. I would imagine it would be tough in the batter's box, let alone running the bases. At this point in this hapless season, I would shut Chooch down. Kratz can take it the rest of the way with (gulp) Schneider as a back up. Ruben, let the year go. Talk to the fan base and (for once) be truthful and say that you're gearing up for next year. Do the right thing.
