Carlos Ruiz Just Going to Show up One of These Days Like Nothing Happened

After some needless worrying on our part, Chooch appears to have survived his encounter with a loosely-tossed fastball.

February 25, 2013; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz (51) works out prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Two x-rays really drove the point home that his wrist has fine, and now he moves upward from extended spring training to a rehab start with the Clearwater Threshers, a term which still works because you can rehab from drugs, too, not just injuries.  It will occur tonight at 6:30 when the Threshers take on Tigers affiliate, the Lakeland Flying Tigers.

Lakeland is a horrifying place, full of lakes and tigers who some how evolved to the power of flight [EDITOR’S NOTE: For christ’s sake, do some research.] Chooch will need his wits about him if he is to survive.

Assuming that all goes well, and when hasn’t it in the past few days, Chooch will re-join the team Sunday in New York to take on the Mets.  This will presumably end Humberto Quintero’s time with the big club, pushing Erik Kratz back into back-up duty and giving the pitchers the confidence they need to achieve consistency.  They’ll probably all give Chooch a hug when he’s back.  Maybe a cake will be involved with Chooch’s face on it.  The point is, who knows how adorable it will be.

Regardless, it will be great top have Chooch back, mostly because we’re all running out of these pictures of him waiting around the batting cage at spring training.