The Phillies certainly could use Franco. He has hit .278 (10-for-36) with three home runs, five RBIs and an .861 OPS this month.
"I feel better," Franco said Wednesday. "I hit in the cage today and I felt fine."
But Franco needs to test his knee, which he tweaked in a rundown, on the field before he can get back in the lineup. Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said he was not sure if Franco could pinch-hit Wednesday.
About a potential trip to the 15-day disabled list, Mackanin said: "I don't think so, according to just to the way he talks.