Phillies Notes: Franco expects to play Tuesday
MILWAUKEE - Maikel Franco spent time in the Miller Park training room on Saturday afternoon and took swings for a second straight day in the indoor batting cages. But that was all the action he saw. The third baseman was out of the lineup for a third straight game after a fastball smacked his right wrist on Tuesday.
MILWAUKEE - Maikel Franco spent time in the Miller Park training room on Saturday afternoon and took swings for a second straight day in the indoor batting cages. But that was all the action he saw. The third baseman was out of the lineup for a third straight game after a fastball smacked his right wrist on Tuesday.
Franco talked to interim manager Pete Mackanin before Saturday's game. They both said Franco will miss Sunday afternoon's series finale before likely playing on Tuesday when the team returns to Philadelphia. Franco said his wrist is feeling better.
Cesar Hernandez started in Franco's place for the second straight game. The second baseman showed off his arm with a nice throw in the first inning.
"There's no need to push him," Mackanin said of Franco. "Although I would like to have him in the lineup."
Franco, 22, had started 76 of the team's 78 games since he was promoted in May from triple-A Lehigh Valley. Perhaps this week's extended break would be a welcomed respite.
"Maybe, maybe not," Mackanin said. "He's young, and he has to get used to a long season. I don't necessarily believe in giving a young guy like that a rest if I can keep him in the lineup. Except when it's apparent that he may need one. We want our good hitters to play every day. Cal Ripken did it."
Lining up the rotation
Jerad Eickhoff started on Saturday afternoon in triple A. His next start could be in the majors. The righthander acquired from Texas as part of the Cole Hamels trade allowed five runs in 72/3 innings.
His pitching line was deceiving. Three of the five runs scored in the eighth inning, and two of them were scored after he was removed from the game. It was the second straight game that he reached the eighth inning. Eickhoff, 25, has a 2.49 ERA in three starts with Lehigh Valley.
The Phillies have yet to fill David Buchanan's spot in the rotation since he was sent down on Wednesday. Buchanan's turn comes up on Tuesday, but it will likely be skipped due to Monday's off day. If Eickhoff is promoted, he would likely start on Saturday at Miami.
Extra bases
Tommy Joseph homered on Saturday in his second game with triple-A Lehigh Valley since being activated off the disabled list. Joseph, 24, played first base after a concussion in May forced him to transition from being a catcher. . . . Saturday's game was played an hour earlier than normal because the Brewers hosted a postgame Goo Goo Dolls concert.
- Matt Breen