The Philadelphia Phillies will not be without their starting catcher to start the season.
Yet, it hasn't been unnoticed by manager Charlie Manuel, who sent a strong message to Carlos Ruiz. The two, the manager and catcher, spoke for the first time since Ruiz was suspended for the first 25 games of the 2013 season.
"I got on him pretty good and I think he reacted pretty good," Manuel said after his team's first official spring-training workout Wednesday. "I trust him. I don't think he'll ever do it again based on how he reacted and some of the things I said to him. He definitely was shook up and you could tell he felt real bad about what happened."
Ruiz tested positive for Adderrall, an amphetatime, which individuals use when they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. His suspension was abbounced in November.
He reportedly broke down into tears when he was speaking with Manuel. And this was the second time that he failed a drug test.
Now, he will be tested up to eight times this upcoming season.
"It's very difficult having to explain," Ruiz said. "I love baseball. I love my city, Philadelphia and Panama. I want to do my best and show everybody ... I'll do my best."
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