John Fay

jfay@enquirer.com

Brandon Phillips saw his hand surgeon Thursday and was given clearance to begin swinging the bat. That's the last step in Phillips' return from surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left thumbs.

"He's swinging in the cage off a tee, so it's baby steps," trainer Paul Lessard said. "But it's good baby steps."

Lessard's concern is more with Phillips in the field. Phillips has been taking ground balls with a flat glove. Getting him into his regular glove and some sort of protection is key.

"We're working on some devices to keep the thumb stiff," Lessard said. "He's such a freewheeling guy. I don't want him hesitant in the field."

Phillips has been out since July 11. He return was projected at six weeks. Reds manager Bryan Price said Phillips is ahead of schedule.

But Phillips will also have to go on minor league rehab assignment.

"He'll have to go play somewhere," Price said. "It's a surgery and it's five- to six-week recover period. That's a long time away from the game without seeing live pitching."

Lessard said he has nothing new on Joey Votto. Votto continues to rehab with a physical therapist. Votto's been on the DL since July 8 with a strained left quad.