Phillies hope Alec Bohm returns to Toronto

The Phillies are hoping to bring Alec Bohm back to Toronto.

Alec Bohm was out of the Phillies’ lineup for a third straight game Sunday night as they wrapped up their season series with the Braves, but manager Rob Thomson said the third baseman is making progress.

Bohm sprained his left hand on an awkward swing against Charlie Morton in the first inning of Thursday’s series opener. He tried to play through it but was pulled an inning later. He dealt with inflammation and swelling in his hand over the weekend, but X-rays showed no structural damage.

Thomson still doesn’t think Bohm will need to stay on the injured list.

“His grip strength is improving,” Thomson said. “He’s not in as much pain anymore, but he’s not ready to put a bat in his hand yet.

“He’s improving but he’s not quite ready to play yet.”

Bohm stretched and ran on the outfield with a trainer early Sunday afternoon. The Phillies hope to have him back in the lineup Tuesday to begin their six-game road trip. The first two are in Toronto, the next four in Miami. He wasn’t available to fill in for a hitter this weekend and almost certainly won’t be available Sunday to give himself an extra 48 hours before the next game.

Edmundo Sosa started at third base in the final series against Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach. The Phillies recalled left-handed hitter Kody Clemens earlier in the day as the roster expanded from 26 to 28, but Thomson liked what he saw Saturday night from Sosa, who hit a 450-foot home run to left-center field and a double to right-center field in a 3-0 victory.