CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Catcher Carlos Ruiz left the Philadelphia Phillies' camp on Wednesday to travel to Panama to attend to a family matter, the team said.
The team did not disclose the nature of the family matter, but a source close to Ruiz told ESPNdeportes.com that the catcher's wife had a Cesarean section on Tuesday. Her doctors recommended the procedure because the baby was in an awkward position.
The baby boy, who weighed 9 pounds at birth, is the couple's first child, and Ruiz's second.
"The doctors talked about this possibility early in the process and decided to move the child's birth. Carlos traveled to be sure all is well with his wife," the source added.
The Phillies said that Ruiz is expected back in camp by this weekend.
Ruiz, 32, hit .302 with eight home runs and 53 RBIs and caught 29 percent of runners attempting to steal in 121 games last season.
Enrique Rojas is a reporter and columnist for ESPNdeportes.com.