Franco rejoins Phils, expects to play this weekend

Maikel Franco flew into Philadelphia on Thursday morning, arriving in time for the afternoon's victory over the New York Mets. He will end his rookie season on the field and not on the disabled list.

"I'm excited," said Franco, who could have been used as a pinch-hitter in the 3-0 win. "I don't know if I'll play every day, but I'm ready. I just played a couple games in Florida and I feel fine. I'm happy to be back."

Franco played five games at the team's facility in Clearwater, Fla., as he finished working his way back from a small fracture in his left wrist. He had four at-bats in each game and felt no pain in his wrist. He said he homered on Wednesday.

Franco will likely be in the starting lineup on Friday against visiting Miami. Manager Pete Mackanin is excited to get Franco's bat back in the lineup.

"I saw the pitches really good," Franco said. "I want to put good contact on it and everything is fine."

Franco has batted .277 with 13 homers and 48 RBIs in 77 games since joining the Phillies in May. He has not played since Aug. 11, when he was hit by a fastball in the wrist. The final weekend with the Phillies will ensure that Franco is healthy before he returns home to the Dominican Republic to play winter ball. He will play for a month or six weeks. Then, Franco said, it will be time to rest.

Phillies prospect Andrew Knapp said the end of double-A Reading's season was disappointing. The Fightin Phils fell in the Eastern League championship after taking a two-games-to-one lead.

"You have to be able to go and experience that and learn how to play those big games in order to pull it out in the end," Knapp said. "If losing the Eastern League championship helps us win a World Series someday, then it was worth it."

Knapp, a switch-hitting catcher, was a big piece of Reading's team after he was promoted in June from high-A Clearwater. He received the Paul Owens Award before the game along with Clearwater righthander Ricardo Pinto. The award is given out each year to the organization's top minor-league pitcher and position player.

Knapp batted .360 and hit 11 homers with 56 RBIs in 55 games at Reading. The 23-year-old improved this season with his defensive work and calling games. He will play next month in the Arizona Fall League, which features some of baseball's top prospects.

Pinto started the season at single-A Lakewood before spending the second half in Clearwater. He developed an effective slider, which he matched with a change-up and a fastball. He compiled a 2.97 ERA in 1451/3 innings. The 21-year-old pitched aggressively, often commanding the inside part of the plate.

Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes sat out the game after being hit by a pitch Wednesday night. He is considered day-to-day with a bruised left hand. . . . Mets reliever Hansel Robles was suspended for three games for throwing near Cameron Rupp's head Wednesday after both teams had been warned.