The injury bug keeps nipping at the Phillies...

Carlos Ruiz, who had missed three straight games with a left wrist sprain this week, is en route to Philly to have his hand checked out by team doctors Dr. Michael Ciccotti and Dr. Randall Culp.

A team spokesman said the Phillies expect Ruiz to rejoin the team in Milwaukee, where they begin a four-game series Thursday.

Although the long list of injured pitchers is concerning in its own way, any long-term loss involving Ruiz would be a crushing blow to the Phils hopes of a long playoff run. The only other two catchers on the active roster are Paul Bako, who is hitting .193, and Paul Hoover, who spent most of the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and hit .200 in 13 games with the Marlins last season.

Ruiz is hitting .253 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs this season. He started all 14 playoff games behind the plate for the Phillies last year.