Phillies' Franco returns to lineup; Blanco injured
PITTSBURGH - Any worries that Maikel Franco's wrist injury was severe were relieved on Sunday when the third baseman entered as a substitute in the fifth inning of a 5-4 loss to the Pirates.
PITTSBURGH - Any worries that Maikel Franco's wrist injury was severe were relieved on Sunday when the third baseman entered as a substitute in the fifth inning of a 5-4 loss to the Pirates.
Franco replaced Andres Blanco after Blanco suffered a fractured left index finger when a baserunner slid into his gloved hand. Franco was out of the starting lineup on Saturday and Sunday after leaving Friday's game when a fastball whacked his left wrist. He said it was the same exact place where a fastball fractured his wrist last season and cost him 45 games.
Franco batted twice and hit a single in the eighth inning. Blanco had four stitches on his finger and flew home to Philadelphia to have the finger examined. Manager Pete Mackanin said he is not sure how long Blanco will be out for. The injury may require surgery.
"That's going to hurt us," manager Pete Mackanin said. "We could always rely on him to play solid defense, come up with big hits for us, plays anywhere we put him, plays a solid defense, and is just a great guy to have around. Hopefully, it will be shorter than we think it might be. But it's definitely a blow."
Franco was one of two regulars out of the lineup with injuries that stemmed from being hit by pitches. Catcher Cameron Rupp left Saturday's loss after being hit in the head by Pirates rookie Tyler Glasnow. He passed his concussion evaluations on Saturday and Sunday but was held out of the game as a precaution. Rupp said he was available on Sunday if needed.
"I don't think it was on purpose by any means, but if you're going to pitch inside then you better be able to pitch inside," Rupp said. "Hitting guys, that happens. Balls get away from everyone. But when it gets up around the head area. . . . I don't believe the kid did it on purpose.".
Mackanin said it was up to the pitchers to retaliate. Aaron Nola - who himself was hit on Saturday - chose not to, saying he could not afford to put a baserunner on. Peter Bourjos and Blanco both had to duck out of the way of high-and-tight fastballs on Sunday.
Vince Velasquez said "no" when asked if he had considered throwing back at the Pirates on Sunday after five Phillies were hit in the first two games. Zach Eflin retaliated Friday by plunking Andrew McCutchen after Franco was hit.
"I don't know about retaliation, but we're not happy, I can tell you that," Rupp said. "As far as retaliation goes, I don't know what's going to happen."
Extra bases
Jeremy Hellickson will start on Monday against the Marlins as the Phillies open a three-game series in Miami. It could be the righthander's final start if the Phillies trade him before the trade deadline on Aug. 1.
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