Phillies Notes: Ruiz working to shake slump

Much attention has been paid to the early-season struggles of Chase Utley and Ryan Howard.

The Phillies' third-longest tenured player also has experienced a slow start to the season at the plate.

Carlos Ruiz entered Saturday's game against the Braves with eight hits - all singles - and just one RBI in 42 at-bats. The veteran catcher leads the Phillies in walks (six) but has scored only once, the run that capped the team's 10-inning home win against the Nationals on April 11.

Ruiz, 36, batted seventh for the second consecutive game Saturday. Manager Ryne Sandberg has also batted Ruiz second, fourth, and fifth through 13 starts.

"He's working hard in the cage inside as far as finding a comfort zone," Sandberg said. "It seems like they are pitching him away a lot, so he's got to be patient there and take some swings to right field.

"I believe his base hit [Friday] night was through the four-hole. . . . So that's a good place for him to start and bring pitches more to him as far as getting to the pull side."

Working to hone his timing at the plate, Ruiz said he's staying positive despite the slow start.

"I think about the good at-bats and good swings that I have and put the rest on the side," he said. "It's still early. . . . Physically, I feel good, and I'm real positive I'm going to turn the page."

Chad Billingsley allowed seven runs on eight hits over five innings Saturday night in the third start of his rehab assignment with triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 30-year-old righthander threw 78 pitches (53 strikes) as he continues to build up his arm strength ahead of joining the Phillies rotation.

Billingsley, coming off consecutive seasons lost to elbow surgeries, will likely make two more rehab starts. If he pitches twice more in the minor leagues on four days' rest, he would be in line to start for the Phillies as early as May 10.

"Next time out, the plan is to stretch it out to 90-95 pitches and just keep extending it," Billingsley said.

Domonic Brown (left Achilles tendinitis) was back in the lineup for triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday night. The 20-day clock on the rightfielder's rehab assignment runs out Tuesday. . . . Severino Gonzalez will make his major-league debut and start for the Phillies on Tuesday, Sandberg announced after Saturday's game.

- Jake Kaplan