By Sam Bush
According to Adam Rubin of MLB.com, Mickey Moniak, who has been out all season with a broken hand, is expected back with the Phillies early this month.
He has started lightly swinging and throwing, manager Joe Girardi said yesterday, but has yet to take any contact swings. Girardi added that there is no specific timetable for Moniak to begin taking batting practice, “but he’s making progress.”
Girardi recently indicated that Odúbel Herrera, who started in center field for the sixth time this season on last night, has an opportunity to take the full-time role. The manager added that it’s too soon to be concerned about how center field duty may be divided once Moniak returns. Moniak, 23, earned his first Opening Day roster spot after hitting .378 (14-for-37) with four doubles, six homers and 11 RBIs during Spring Training.
