Maikel Franco's hopes to return to the Phillies' lineup before season's end were kept alive Wednesday when the rookie third baseman took 20 pain-free swings in an indoor batting cage at Citizens Bank Park.
Batting practice is the next progression for Franco, who has been sidelined since Aug. 11 after breaking his left wrist. He could then head to the Phillies' spring training facility in Clearwater, Fla., to take at-bats in simulated games.
Franco, 23, was relieved by Wednesday's development. The discomfort had lingered when he took swings in the cage the week before in New York.