Brandon Phillips Much Closer To Return

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Brandon Phillips was sitting in the visiting clubhouse at Progressive Field before the Reds took batting practice.

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Phillips is no stranger in Cleveland.  He came to the Indians with Grady Sizemore and Cliff Lee in a trade with the Montreal Expos before they moved to Washington.

Phillips made it to the Major Leagues through the Indians organization in 2002.  Phillips did not get along well with then Indians manager, Eric Wedge, and was traded to the Reds for Jeff Stevens, a player named later.

The Reds secondbaseman tore a ligament in his left thumb. He had it surgically repaired and was placed on the 15-day disabled list the next day.

"He can't swing the bat yet," manager Bryan Price said.  "He is doing cardio and will be in good shape, not baseball shape but will be physically fit."

Phillips Takes Ground Balls in Cleveland

The Reds offense has been dismal since the All-Star break, leaving Price longing to get Phillips and Joey Votto back to good health.

"We played so well right before the break even without Votto and Phillips," Price said. "It made me think we could weather the storm.  We lost our mojo over the All-Star break.

Votto is back in Cincinnati, taking PIP shots (enriched plasma).

"He is going through his workouts. There is soreness with them.  He is working through his second round of soreness<" Price said.

Tony Cingrani has just started a throwing program in Louisville.

"He just initiated a program without soreness," Price said.

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