Phils' Franco swinging bat without pain

PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco still has a chance to play before the end of the season.

Franco has not played since mid-August because of a broken left wrist, but he has been swinging a bat recently without any pain. He could take batting practice in the next couple days, and if that goes well, he could head to Clearwater, Fla., before the end of next week to face living pitching.

Franco could rejoin the Phillies in Miami for their series against the Marlins beginning Sept. 22.