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Carlos Ruiz pulled from game with hamstring strain

Carlos Ruiz limped into third base grabbing his right leg Sunday. Soon, the Phillies catcher was removed with what the team called a right hamstring strain.

Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz left Sunday's game with a strained right hamstring. (David Maialetti/Staff Photographer)
Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz left Sunday's game with a strained right hamstring. (David Maialetti/Staff Photographer)Read more
    by By Matt Gelb, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER, External or Unknown
    Published 

The first sign of trouble emerged when Carlos Ruiz hobbled back to first base after an attempted hit-and-run play. Freddy Galvis hit the next pitch Sunday to right for a single and Ruiz was on the move again.

He limped into third base grabbing his right leg. Soon, the Phillies catcher was removed with what the team called a right hamstring strain.

The severity was not immediately known, but it is an injury that typically requires a trip to the disabled list — especially for a catcher because teams insist on carrying two healthy backstops.

Erik Kratz replaced Ruiz in the third inning.

Ruiz carried a nine-game hitting streak into Sunday and showed signs of warming after a slow start that followed his 25-game suspension for Adderall use. Ruiz, 34, has required time on the disabled list in each of the last four seasons. He is a free agent at season's end.

If the Phillies need another catcher, veteran Humberto Quintero is the likely man. He is hitting .292/.419/.583 at triple-A Lehigh Valley in eight games. He was on the roster while Ruiz served his suspension.

In any case, this could be the latest blow to an offense that has stumbled through 44 games.

Contact Matt Gelb at mgelb@phillynews.com. Follow on Twitter @magelb.