Jim Thome's future in question

Jim Thome will rejoin the Phillies sometime this week and should spend the majority of the upcoming road trip as the team's designated hitter. But beyond that, his future is murky.

Amaro said Thome is not doing work at first base during his rehab for a bad back.

"It's too much discomfort for him," Amaro said, "so he's pretty much just hitting."

Amaro said Thome will attempt to strictly be a pinch-hitter once the luxury of the designated hitter disappears. How will that work?

"I don't know," Amaro said. "That's a good question. We'll find out."

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