--C Carlos Ruiz rejoined the team Wednesday, two days after an MRI confirmed a strained right oblique (ribcage) muscle. Ruiz rode the exercise bike for about 20 minutes and said he hopes to be able to play catch within five days. He isn't eligible to come off the disabled list until April 26, but it's possible he could be sidelined longer. Ruiz was injured while trying to block a pitch in the dirt Friday against the Rockies in Coors Field. "I heard the doctor say I need a lot of rest," said Ruiz, still tender enough that he feels pain when he laughs too hard. "He said I might feel OK the first day, then go back and feel it."

--C Lou Marson was scheduled to make his second career start (and first since being called up from Class AAA Lehigh Valley last Saturday) Wednesday night against the Washington Nationals. The game was rained out, and Marson likely will start Thursday. Marson, 22, started the regular-season finale Sept. 28 and hit a home run.

"I think it's like anything else," manager Charlie Manuel said. "We've got to put him out there and see where he's at and go from there. I think he's going to be pretty good, really. Last year, when we put him in the game, he did a good job. The one game he played at the major league level, he did pretty good."

--LHP Cole Hamels will have his next start pushed back one day because of Wednesday night's rainout. Rather than starting Thursday night against the Nationals, he won't start until Friday night at Citizens Bank Park against the San Diego Padres. Hamels, who threw back-to-back bullpen sessions Sunday and Monday, is still trying to refine his mechanics after missing nearly a week in spring training with stiffness in his left elbow. He was scheduled to start Thursday, but RHP Joe Blanton (0-0, 15.75 ERA) is being pushed back because of the rainout.

"Getting (Hamels) back out there as quick as we can is important," Manuel said. "I don't know if the rest, the extra days, are good for him or not. It won't hurt him, but you get him out there and keep him regular for two or three turns, that sounds to me like what he needs to come around."

MEDICAL WATCH:

C Carlos Ruiz (strained right oblique muscle) went on the 15-day disabled list April 11. He might not be ready to return when he's first eligible.

LHP Mike Zagurski (Tommy John elbow surgery in April 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He resumed pitching in late March and could be ready to join the team by mid-April.

ROTATION:

LHP Cole Hamels

RHP Brett Myers

LHP Jamie Moyer

RHP Joe Blanton

RHP Chan Ho Park

BULLPEN:

RHP Brad Lidge (closer)

RHP Ryan Madson

RHP Chad Durbin

LHP Scott Eyre

RHP Clay Condrey

LHP J.A. Happ

LHP Jack Taschner

CATCHERS:

Chris Coste

Lou Marson

INFIELDERS:

1B Ryan Howard

2B Chase Utley

SS Jimmy Rollins

3B Pedro Feliz

INF Eric Bruntlett

INF Miguel Cairo

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Raul Ibanez

CF Shane Victorino

RF Jayson Werth

OF/INF Greg Dobbs

OF Matt Stairs