Phillips again out of lineup, but near return

MILWAUKEE -- Braves second baseman Brandon Phillips was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game Friday with a groin strain, but the veteran is making progress.
Manager Brian Snitker said Phillips was available to pinch-hit in Friday's series opener against the Brewers and hopes to have him back in the lineup at second base Saturday.
"I'll probably try to stay away from him [playing the field Friday]," Snitker said. "But hopefully, he'll be good to go [Saturday]. That's the plan."
Phillips injured his groin while attempting to steal second base in the first inning of Atlanta's 8-2 victory over the Mets on Wednesday. He then sat out of Thursday's 7-5 win in the series finale.
Although he was not in the lineup, Phillips took batting practice and ground balls at second base Friday.
Nothing to it: Braves right-hander R.A. Dickey is not expected to miss a start after sustaining a left quadriceps spasm during his start Thursday.
The injury occurred as Dickey ran to first base in a fourth-inning at-bat. He stayed in to pitch through the fifth inning before being removed for a pinch-hitter.

"He's OK," Snitker said. "There's no indication he's going to have to miss a start or anything. He just manages it. He's been through those things before. Those guys that have played so long, it is one of those things where you treat it and you'll be OK."
Dickey is slated to start Tuesday against the Mets in Atlanta.
On the mend: Working his way back from right elbow soreness, Braves right-hander Mauricio Cabrera will make his second rehab appearance with Class A Advanced Florida on Saturday.
Cabrera threw a scoreless inning with a strikeout Wednesday. He is scheduled to throw two innings Saturday before shifting to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.
"The last one was good," Snitker said. "He's throwing strikes. He's feeling good. He'll get two innings to throw secondary pitches. The next two are two-inning stints, so hopefully it will all go well for him."