The Philadelphia Phillies have activated catcher Carlos Ruiz from the disabled list and optioned reserve backstop Steven Lerud back to Triple-A, reports Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly.
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Out since May 21 with a strained right hamstring, the 34-year-old Ruiz's return to the lineup should be a welcome relief for the Phillies. Erik Kratz did a serviceable job behind the plate when Chooch was serving his drug suspension at the start of the year, but the situation has become a bit more dire in recent weeks.
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Matt Harvey shows off his arsenal by blowing one by Jason Heyward.Kratz went down with a left knee injury a little over a week ago, leaving Humberto Quintero and Lerud to cover the catching duties for Philly.
Ruiz appeared in 16 games for the Phillies before hitting the DL, batting an unimpressive .235/.286/.275 in 56 plate appearances. The veteran backstop is unlikely to duplicate his career-best 2012 -- in which he hit .325/.394/.540 with 16 home runs -- but he should pick up his production some.
Lerud, 28, appeared in just six games for the Phillies, and failed to notch a hit in five at-bats.
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