Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz and first baseman Ryan Howard will have MRIs on Monday.

Ruiz will miss Monday's game at the Miami Marlins after straining his right hamstring Sunday in a 3-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Ruiz, who said he felt a "pop" while running the bases in the second inning had to be removed from the game. There's no word yet on the severity of the injury, but a trip to the disabled list would seem to be a distinct possibility. Ruiz didn't make the trip but hopes to rejoin the team on Tuesday in Miami.

Howard didn't play Sunday due to left knee soreness. He will not join the team on the trip to Miami.

Howard says his knee's "been acting up."

The full extent of the injury isn't yet known, but it could provide some context to Howard's early struggles. The Phillies will provide an update on his status following the results of the MRI. Howard is not expected to play in Monday's game against the Marlins.

He says: "I've been able to tough it out but told (Manuel) it was sore."

Howard, who missed 91 games last season with an Achilles' tear, has four hits in his last 34 at-bats and is batting .245 with 46 strikeouts in 151 at-bats this season.

These injuries are big for the Phillies, these are two of the bigger bats in the Phillies line-up and for a team that has struggled to score runs, losing these two bats is a huge concern.  Humberto Quintero would take Ruiz's spot on the roster if he can not make the trip, but who replaces Howard at first would be something to keep an eye on.

Would the Phillies call-up Darin Ruf and give him a shot to play first base everyday?

The 26-year old has raised his average up to .267 after a slow start to the season.  He also has five home runs and 22 RBI in 40 games for the Iron Pigs.  He has played 28 games in the outfield and 10 games at first base thus far, but two weeks worth of games at the big league level, could be enough to impress the Phillies brass to keep his talented right-handed bat in Philadelphia.

 

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