MIAMI — After carrying the Phillies' offense for the better part of six weeks, Maikel Franco's bat has cooled recently. But that isn't the reason for the third baseman's absence from the lineup in four of the past six games.
Franco has been dealing with pain in his right wrist for about a week, manager Gabe Kapler revealed after a 3-1 loss to the Marlins here Monday. And with eight infielders available on the Phillies' expanded September roster, Franco is being given time to heal.
The injury occurred when Franco was jammed on a pitch two weekends ago in Toronto.