What It Means:

Franco was hit on the left elbow by a pitch in Thursday's contest. He stayed in the game and didn't undergo an X-ray, but he's surely sore and the Phillies have decided to give him a little break. Manager Pete Macakin said the slugger could be available to pinch-hit. Andres Blanco is handling third base. Philadelphia's lineup also features Emmanuel Burriss getting his first start of the season in left field.

Our models project Franco to post a .327 wOBA with 18 home runs and 70 RBI's over 576 plate appearances in 2016.