Maikel Franco could play winter ball

BOSTON - Maikel Franco will see a doctor on Tuesday in Philadelphia. It is unlikely that the third baseman will play again this season due to a fractured left wrist.

But the rookie's baseball year may not be complete. Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said he would like to see Franco play this winter in the Caribbean. Franco played last winter in his native Dominican Republic.

"I think it's always good for players to play winter ball, especially young players," Mackanin said. "The more experience you gain, the better off you're going to be. It makes you a better player. You learn from that. Even if he didn't play a full season down there, I think it's a wise thing to do."

Franco batted .277 this season with 13 homers and 48 RBIs. He was in the running for rookie of the year until he was hit by a fastball on Aug. 11. He traveled with the team to Boston, but has not engaged in much pregame activity.

Franco, Aaron Altherr, Andres Blanco, Freddy Galvis, Cesar Hernandez, Odubel Herrera, Darin Ruf, Elvis Araujo, and Luis Garcia were some of the Phillies players that spent last winter in the Caribbean. Mackanin played two seasons in Venezuela and later managed there, most recently in 2005.

He said batters can gain experience in the Caribbean against pitchers who throw more breaking pitches. And they learn to play under pressure. The team's main priority is to win, instead of focusing on a player's development. If a player struggles, he can be sent home. Playing under that pressure, Mackanin said, will help you in the majors.

Plus, the fans bring their own brand of intensity.

"Having oranges thrown at you and an occasional bottle when you make an error is a good learning experience," Mackanin said. "As long as you don't get hurt."

Managing veterans

The Phillies have 11 rookies on their active roster, tied for fourth most in the majors. They have had nine different players make their major-league debut, the fifth-highest mark in the majors. The page is being turned to the future as they showcase players for next season. But Mackanin still has to balance managing the team's young players and its last few veterans, namely Ryan Howard and Carlos Ruiz.

"To manage at this level, you have to manage young players, and you have to manage veterans as well," Mackanin said. "You have to deal with them differently. Veterans are allowed a longer leash because they've earned it to a certain degree. But the bottom line is what I try to tell guys is, 'The thing that makes you special is the first and the 15th. When you get that paycheck. That's what makes you special.'

"Otherwise, you're just one of the players on the team. That's pretty basic. We expect you to show up on time. Expect you to hustle. Expect you to do everything you're supposed to do."