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Aaron Altherr returns to Phillies with a bang

ATLANTA - Power, the adage among hitters goes, is the last element to return after a wrist injury. Aaron Altherr had heard that. And, as he toured the minor leagues on a rehab assignment from surgery on his left wrist, he wondered about the struggle.

Then, in his third at-bat Thursday in his first game back, Altherr launched a hanging slider to deep left for a two-run homer in a 7-5 Phillies victory.

"It definitely surprised me a little bit because I hadn't really been driving the ball like I had wanted to down in my rehab stints," Altherr said. "I'm just glad to know I've got it in there somewhere."

Less than five months removed from surgery, Altherr returned to the Phillies with a large scar on his left wrist and an abbreviated chance to prove he belongs in the team's plans.

"I've been looking forward to this ever since I got hurt," Altherr said.

So have the Phillies, who wanted to use the entire season to evaluate players like Altherr, a young talent whose exact value is unknown. They activated Altherr from the disabled list and cleared space by placing  another outfielder, Peter Bourjos, on the DL.

That transaction will prevent the Phillies from trading the veteran outfielder before Monday's deadline. Bourjos, however, could still be flipped in August as part of a waiver deal.

Altherr was inserted as the No. 5 hitter in Pete Mackanin's lineup. He had three hits.

"I just want to see him play," Mackanin said. "We want to see him play as much as possible. So if he stays healthy, I'm going to keep running him out there. That's what this year is all about. We're finding out about the guys that are here. He is potentially an important part, so we want to see what he does."

Altherr, 25, injured his left wrist while diving for a ball in a Grapefruit League game. He tore the tendon sheath in his wrist, an uncommon injury in baseball.

The Phillies had planned for Altherr to fill an everyday role in right field this season after his impressive 39-game tryout in 2015. The most promising part of Altherr's game was his power stroke _ he collected 20 extra-base hits in 137 at bats. During his 13-game rehab tour through the minors, Altherr had three extra-base hits in 41 at-bats.

"But," he said, "I'm ready to be back up here and play some games."

Those games could influence offseason decisions. The Phillies have Nick Williams, a young outfielder who could earn a promotion this season in preparation for a full-time role in 2017. Dylan Cozens has rocketed into the picture with his barrage of homers at double-A Reading. Roman Quinn, if he can ever remain healthy, is a touted outfield prospect.

"I feel like it's the same pressure it would be any other time," Altherr said. "I always try to do what I can do."

Extra bases

Jeremy Hellickson is scheduled to start Saturday, and the belief is he will still make that start as trade talks continue. Hellickson may not be dealt until other chips fall elsewhere. ... Vince Velasquez, who has a 2.70 ERA in five starts since returning from the DL, will start  Friday against Atlanta rookie Tyrell Jenkins.