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Well, it appears as if this was as bad as it looked like right from the start.
Maikel Franco left the game after being hit by this pitch. Can hear the pain from here. https://t.co/Q54tXBnFsH
— Sons of Penn (@SonsofPenn) August 12, 2015
When Maikel Franco was hit on the wrist by a Jeremy Hellickson fastball last Tuesday in Arizona, it looked for all the world like his wrist or arm had been broken. So everyone was relieved when the team announced it was just a bone bruise and that a stint on the disabled list would not be likely.
"Not likely" turned into something very different on Tuesday.
Maikel Franco has small non-displaced fracture on left wrist. Placed on DL. Altherr to take his spot on the roster.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) August 18, 2015
The Phils' promising young third baseman is on the DL retroactive to August 12th, although general manager Ruben Amaro says he doesn't know if Franco will be back at any point this year, saying the team will be "cautious."
In other words, don't expect to see Franco back on the field for the Phillies anymore this year. And if you're wondering why this wasn't caught sooner, Amaro explained.
Ruben said it didn't show up on X-ray. Initially progressed well and then plateaued so they sent him for MRI https://t.co/a8rXccn3YF
— Rachel Appel Micali (@RachelCSN) August 18, 2015
Goodbye, Rookie of the Year chances. Franco was hitting .277/.340/.490 with an OPS of .830 and an OPS+ of 127 in 326 plate appearances this year, with 13 home runs and 48 RBIs. And now, it appears as if those will be his season-end totals.
In a corresponding move, the Phillies have called up young outfielder Aaron Altherr from Lehigh Valley, who was hitting .294/.362/.495 with an .858 OPS in 229 PAs for the Iron Pigs, with 13 doubles, two triples, and eight home runs. He's also seen as a solid defensive outfielder and a potential piece of the team's future.
With Franco out, how exactly will the musical chairs work themselves out?
Altherr has been called up to take Franco's spot. Hernandez and Blanco will get the most reps at 3rd. Plan is to keep Asche in LF. #Phillies
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) August 18, 2015
I'm not sure what good it does to keep Asche in left field and put Altherr on the bench, considering Asche is simply pretty bad and Altherr could be a real part of the team's future. Apparently, Cesar Hernandez just HAS to get those PAs, baby!
We just can't have nice things.