Carlos Ruiz was out of the Phillies lineup for Wednesday nights game after being hit by a foul ball in the sixth inning of the 3-2 loss to the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.
He kind of got hit in the family jewels, Manuel said, drawing a few titters from the press during the managers pre-game media session.
The official diagnosis, according to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., was a left testicular contusion, and Ruiz was day to day.
Ruiz remained in the game after suffering the contusion and caught the final three innings of the game after taking a few moments in order to catch his breath. He went 1 for 3 in the game and drew a walk to lead off the ninth inning before being removed for a pinch runner when he was bunted over to second base.
Meanwhile, Ruiz did not report to the ballpark until game time in order to have an examination with a doctor. Brian Schneider got the starting nod behind the plate.
Schwimer gets the call
As expected, the Phillies officially placed Placido Polanco on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 7, with a sports hernia. However, with the team carrying just 10 pitchers for most of the month, right-handed reliever Michael Schwimer joined the club for his first look at the big leagues.
Based on the stats, Schwimer certainly deserved the call. In 46 outings for Triple A Lehigh Valley, the 25-year old out of Alexandria, Va. and the University of Virginia, was 9-1 with 10 saves and a 1.88 ERA. Schwimer started the 2010 season with Double A Reading, but finished up the year with the IronPigs where he posted a 1.35 ERA in 16 games.
MLB
Schwimer has been so dominant pitching in Triple A that right-handers are batting .068 against him this season.
I really feel like I've been keeping hitters off-balance a lot more this year than years before, said Schwimer, who had 86 strikeouts in 67 innings this season. Before I was a fastball-slider, 'Here I am' kind of guy. Now I'm pitching.
Manuel says he wont be bashful about using Schwimer, but will look for an opportune moment to get the 6-foot-8 ex-high school basketball player his big-league debut.
Hes been improving all year long, Manuel said. I liked him when I saw him in spring training. Well throw him out there and see what he can do.
With 67 innings in his 46 appearances, Manuel said he might use the big kid for two innings when needed.
Meanwhile, in order to clear space on the 40-man roster for Schwimer, the Phillies transferred pitcher Joe Blanton to the 60-day disabled list.
Victorino appeal heard
Shane Victorino revealed that he spoke with Major League Baseballs director of operations, Joe Torre, on Wednesday afternoon, as part of the appeal process for his three-game suspension. The Phils outfielder said he had not heard any further news on his suspension.
Victorino was suspended for three games for his role in a bench-clearing incident in San Francisco on Aug. 5. Victorino was the only player suspended, though Polanco and Giants players Eli Whiteside and Ramon Ramirez received fines.
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com.