PHILADELPHIA -- A hobbled Maikel Franco homered after he sprained his right knee Sunday in Washington.
He has not started since, but Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said following Wednesday night's 7-2 loss to the Blue Jays that he expects Franco to start Thursday night.<o:p>
The Phillies certainly could use Franco. He has hit .270 (10-for-37) with three home runs and five RBIs this month.
"I feel better," Franco said Wednesday. "I hit in the cage today and I felt fine."
Franco pinch-hit in the ninth inning. He struck out on three pitches.<o:p>
Mackanin also offered injury updates on right-handers Vince Velasquez and Dalier Hinojosa:
Velasquez, who is on the DL with a strained right elbow, played catch in Toronto and felt OK. Obviously, because of his importance to the team's future, the nature of his injury and Velasquez's own health history -- he had Tommy John surgery in 2010 and the Phillies had questions about his physical before acquiring him in December -- the Phillies have no plans to rush him back.
Hinojosa has been on the DL since April 29 because of a bruised right hand. He is scheduled to throw a 30-pitch live-batting-practice session on Friday.
"He's been progressing gradually," Mackanin said. "I'd like to get him back."