Ruiz activated, but will be used sparingly

PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz is back, but it remains to be seen how much he will play.

Ruiz had been on the disabled list since Aug. 3 with plantar fasciitis in his left foot before the Phillies activated him on Friday. The Phillies plan to ease Ruiz back slowly, using him as a pinch-hitter this weekend before working him in as a defensive replacement. He could start once or twice a week once he gets comfortable.

"We definitely want to be careful with him," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "What he's got is something that if he's on his feet for a long time, if he's moving a lot, he gets real tight."

But the Phillies said there is little risk playing Ruiz the remainder of the season.

"If it was going to hurt him, we wouldn't do it," Manuel said. "But they feel like it's not going to hurt him."

Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock concurred.

"I think we're very comfortable with the fact that I don't think he's going to do any further damage," he said. "But he hasn't played, so I think it's just something that we're going to ... hopefully he can come out and contribute a little bit and get back in a rhythm and be ready to go for next year. I think it's important that he gets back out on the field."

And why is that?

"I think for him, and I think he still has a chance to help us," Proefrock said. "As long of a shot as it is, we're not out of this. He can contribute. He's an important part of our offense."

"I know everybody was concerned that maybe I was done for the year, but I was thinking that I would try really hard to come back, because I want to finish," Ruiz said. "Now I'm happy that I got activated. I'm ready to go. I want to finish the season. I want to go home happy. I told myself I have to finish playing and then relax and be ready for next year. I was really sad in last six weeks. Now I have the chance to get back in the lineup."