Inflammation

NEW YORK - They pass like ships in the night - the third baseman heads for the disabled list as the closer comes off it. It has been an ongoing theme for the team with the best record in baseball. Which begs the question: How many wins would they have if all those ships had never left port? Placido Polanco was placed on the 15-day DL with lower back inflammation yesterday, on the day Ryan Madson came off. "I'm probably about 90 percent now," Polanco said. "There's still some inflammation in the nerves, but it should get better.

Question: I have severe varicose veins and leg swelling that led to sores that haven't been easy to heal. I'm getting regular home health-care visits, but do you have any other suggestions? Answer: Try laughing several times a day. Yes, really! According to a new study in the British Medical Journal, good-quality nursing care and belly laughs are the best treatments for people who have severe leg ulcers caused by the breakdown of skin from the chronic inflammation and swelling of severe varicose veins.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Chase Utley still can swing a bat, this much is sure. He stood at home plate in Bright House Field, lashing at every ball thrown his way during batting practice Saturday morning, even hitting one out of the park. A few feet behind the cage, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. explained Utley's lack of progress in recovering from patellar tendinitis and the decision to administer a cortisone injection Friday. Utley kept swinging because his right knee doesn't hurt when stationary.

A major study led by Cooper University Hospital suggests a new way to improve dismal survival rates after cardiac arrest: Turn down the patient's oxygen. Stinting on oxygen may seem counterintuitive, since the brain begins to die when deprived of oxygen-rich blood for more than five minutes. But studies in dogs and in premature infants have long shown that too much oxygen can be harmful. The new study, published in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association, is the first solid evidence that this vital gas is also a double-edged therapy after the heart suddenly stops - as it does in 220,000 Americans every year.

An alarming situation worsened yesterday when catcher Carlos Ruiz returned to Philadelphia to have his sprained left wrist examined. An MRI conducted by team physician Michael Ciccotti revealed no structural damage but showed inflammation, according to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. The team will decide today whether Ruiz needs a cortisone shot, which would render him unavailable for three to five days. "It was actually good news, because there was no structural damage," Amaro said.

Having survived one of Philadelphia International Airport's infamous delays Tuesday night, Cole Hamels returned to Phillies camp yesterday and quickly endorsed Brett Myers for opening-night starter. That is, if Hamels himself can't answer the call. Although pitching coach Rich Dubee has called Hamels a long shot to start against Atlanta in 17 days, the Phillies' ace believes he can do it. "I love long shots," said the 25-year-old lefty, who is being treated for soreness and inflammation in his left elbow.

Cole Hamels threw more innings in 2008 than during his entire minor-league career. Now, the Phillies hope that the cost of a lengthy World Series run will not be their young ace's health. Hamels, last year's World Series MVP, departed Clearwater yesterday afternoon, and will have his left elbow examined in Philadelphia this morning by team doctor Michael Ciccotti. The lefthander, 25, said that he has felt tightness and inflammation in the lower part of his elbow through most of spring training.

Ask Cole Hamels about his goals for the upcoming season and he'll tell you he'd like to be healthy enough to earn a promotion to Philadelphia and make a run at the National League rookie of the year award. There's little doubt that Hamels, the Phillies' top pitching prospect, has the talent to become a candidate for the award. It remains to be seen, however, if he can stay healthy enough to do so. The 22-year-old lefthander has suffered another setback in his recovery from a back injury that derailed his 2005 season and probably cost him a chance to pitch in the majors in September.

An autopsy revealed that Danny Rumph, the 21-year-old college basketball player who collapsed after a pickup game on Sunday, died of cardiomyopathy, according to the Philadelphia Health Department. Cardiomyopathy is an inflammation of the heart, according to the American Heart Association's Web site. In one form of cardiomyopathy, "the muscle mass of the left ventricle enlarges," sometimes causing cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death, according to the Heart Association. "We were told it was an enlarged heart," Rumph's uncle, Marcus Owens, said yesterday.

The Eagles casually announced yesterday that Corey Simon's trip to the foot doctor in Maryland on Monday revealed that the starting defensive tackle has plantar fasciitis and that he will not play in tomorrow's exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. An ominous development for a team already decimated by injuries? Not according to Mark Myerson, the foot specialist who treated Simon. "His foot was very inflamed," Myerson said last night by cell phone. "He'll be back in training next week.