A club source confirmed yesterday that the Phillies were interested in catcher David Ross, who was released Monday by Cincinnati. Boston reportedly was interested, too.

The Phils can't make a move for Ross until he clears waivers, which takes two business days. Since Ross was released Monday, he could be claimed or clear waivers by 1 p.m. today.

If the Phillies bring Ross aboard, don't expect him to replace Carlos Ruiz or Chris Coste on the 25-man roster. Ross, who was hitting .231, with three home runs, 13 RBIs and a .381 on-base percentage in 134 at-bats, likely would play for triple-A Lehigh Valley and join the Phillies when rosters expand Sept. 1.

Ruiz was hitting .220, with two homers, 21 RBIs, and a .322 on-base percentage in 246 at-bats entering last night's game against Washington. His struggles would not stick out so much if it weren't for the struggles of the rest of the offense.

"He does a good job on defense, and calling the game and handling the pitchers," manager Charlie Manuel said of Ruiz. "But at the same time . . . he's got to be better than a [.220] hitter."

Manuel acknowledged that it would be difficult to bring in a new catcher and expect him to carry the load the last six weeks of the season.

Want to play here?

"We've had a lot of things said about fans here," Rollins said of questions and comments by opposing players. "Most of them you can't repeat. That's their opinion. They get to come from the outside and look in. I think a lot of players, they ask knowing their free-agent year is coming up. They try to get a feel for how the fans are. I think they have a good idea of how the team is. They like the team. They enjoy the team.

"A lot of times, and I've actually heard it, they don't want to put their family and kids in a situation where they come to the field and these are the types of things their kids are going to have to sit through and listen to. That's just the truth. Those aren't my words. Those are words that I've actually heard."

As he had predicted, Rollins heard some boos before he led off the bottom of the first. Comcast SportsNet viewers could not hear the crowd's reaction because the station was playing a taped interview with Rollins at the time.

Going with Werth

Manuel wanted Werth there mostly because his on-base percentage, .356 entering last night, was the team's third best. Only Pat Burrell's .393 and Chase Utley's .363 ranked higher.

Manuel said he also liked Werth's ability to hit the ball to the right side of the infield to advance the leadoff batter, Rollins.

Shane Victorino, a switch-hitter, has been batting sixth when both he and Werth have been in the lineup.

"It gives us a little more balance in the lineup," Manuel said.

Feliz is closer

Feliz made a rehabilitation appearance last night for double-A Reading.

"It gives us another guy on the bench," Manuel said, referring to Greg Dobbs' and Eric Bruntlett's sharing time at third base while Feliz has been out. And Feliz "gets a big hit now and then. I think what he's hitting, he can hit more. . . . He's got a good swing, but at times he's not very aggressive. He needs to be more aggressive."

Feliz is hitting .256, with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs.