Ruiz will leave camp in mid-March to play for Panama as they try to qualify for the 2017 World Baseball Classic, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ruiz will miss a few Grapefruit League games, but his roster spot is secure. Panama's first game is March 17 against France. They will play again March 18 and then March 20 if they make it to the championship of the double-elimination tournament.

Ruiz spent the winter working to strengthen his left shoulder, which bothered him last year, CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ruiz underwent minor arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder after the 2014 season, but the Phillies never gave any indication last year that the shoulder was limiting Ruiz. He hit .211 last season and played in just 86 games as the Phillies transitioned more of the playing time behind the dish to Cameron Rupp. That arrangement is expected to continue this season. Ruiz is likely in his last season with the Phillies. The team has a $4.5 million option for 2017, but is expected to exercise a $500,000 buyout instead.

Interim manager Pete Mackanin said Cameron Rupp could see more playing time in September at the expense of Ruiz, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rupp started 17 times in August which was six more starts than Carlos Ruiz received. It sounds like Ruiz may see even less action this month. He has hit just .216/.297/.294 with two home runs in 255 at-bats this season.

Ruiz went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Giants. The home run was Ruiz's second of the season and the multi-hit game was his second in four starts. He might possibly earn a little more playing time if his bat heats up, but the Phillies will still give Cameron Rupp a healthy share of the starts behind the plate as they look to the future.

Ruiz is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Braves. Ruiz will take the day off since the Phillies are going up against left-handed pitcher Alex Wood. Fellow catcher Cameron Rupp will take over for Ruiz and bat eighth.

Ruiz went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and walk in Tuesday's loss to the Brewers. The home run was Ruiz's first of the season and first since Sept. 5. He is hitting .221/.293/.273 in 172 at-bats. The Phillies will likely continue to split his playing time fairly evenly with Cameron Rupp.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Stephen Gross of The Morning Call reports. The Phillies will go with Cameron Rupp behind the dish for the first game of Sunday's double dip, but expect to see Ruiz out there for the nightcap. Ruiz is scheduled to catch Severino Gonzalez in that contest.

Ruiz is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Yankees, the Philadelphia Daily News' Ryan Lawrence reports. Cameron Rupp will get a third consecutive start behind the plate as Ruiz's playing time continues to dry up. The veteran wasn't doing anything with his at-bats, and he now seems to be in danger of sliding into a backup role.

Ruiz is out of Sunday's lineup against the Cardinals, CSN Philadelphia reports. Ruiz continues to receive consistent days off due to his poor play, now sitting the third time in the last five games. The veteran backstop is hitting just .139 in the month of June, and has yet to steal a base or hit a home run this season. Cameron Rupp will start behind the plate in his place again Sunday, batting seventh for the Phillies.

Ruiz is out of the lineup Friday against the Cardinals, Stephen Gross of the Philadelphia Morning Call reports. Ruiz is starting to lose more playing time to Cameron Rupp, who has fared marginally better than his veteran counterpart in the batter's box this season. Although Ruiz can still be considered the starter, his feeble production is comparable to what most backup catchers produce. He still hasn't homered or stolen a base, and is on pace for just 26 RBI and 26 runs in 379 at-bats.