Phillies rookie Franco could return to the lineup by the weekend

Philadelphia Phillies rookie third baseman Maikel Franco could be back in the lineup this weekend after reporting improvement in his injured left wrist.

Franco sat out Wednesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks after he was hit by a pitch the previous night, but said his wrist felt much better Thursday while wearing a splint.

"When I move it around, it feels better than yesterday," said Franco, who is batting .277 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI. "It still bothers me a little bit, but I'll be fine."

The Phillies open a three-game set at the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, but manager Pete Pete Mackanin is not expecting Franco to be available for the series opener.

"From what I understand, he's going to try to hit on Friday and see how it feels," Mackanin said. "So I would doubt that he's ready, but we'll have to wait and see."

(h/t Philly.com)