Maikel Franco is scheduled to begin playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic later this week, MLB.com reports.

Franco is scheduled to begin playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic later this week, MLB.com reports.

Analysis:

The stint in winter ball will allow Franco to make up for at-bats lost during his seven-week absence at the end of the 2015 season due to a fractured left wrist. Franco, 23, did make it back for the Phillies' final three games, going 3-for-8 with a homer, bringing his total to 14 home runs in 80 games for the season. Only Ryan Howard had more home runs on the team (23).