Quintero designated for assignment by Phils

NEW YORK -- To make room for Carlos Ruiz, who returned from a 25-game suspension on Sunday, the Mets designated for assignment catcher Humberto Quintero, leaving Erik Kratz as Ruiz's backup.

Assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said the organization hopes that Quintero, a six-year Major League veteran, clears waivers and remains with the organization.

"You can never have enough catching, " said Proefrock, "Somebody will invariably get hurt.

"We have Tommy Joseph, who will do the bulk of the catching in Triple-A, and we have Steve Lerud, who was in the mix to make the [Major League] club. If we lose Humberto we are comfortable with Lerud being the next guy in line, because we don't think [21-year-old] Joseph is ready for that."

Quintero was 5-for-20 with two RBIs in seven games with the Phillies this season.