Phillies provide timetable for Cristian Pache's return after meniscus surgery

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LOS ANGELES -- Phillies center fielder Cristian Pache underwent surgery on the torn meniscus in his right knee Monday and will miss four to six weeks, the team announced.

Pache's surgery was performed by team physician Dr. Steve Cohen back in Philadelphia as the Phils opened their three-game series at Dodger Stadium.

The short recovery time is good news for a player who was finally finding his footing offensively at the major-league level. A former top prospect of the Braves who was traded for Matt Olson a year ago and didn't stick with either of his first two organizations, Pache was 9 for his last 19 with three doubles and a homer when he slipped past the second-base bag in Houston over the weekend and tore his meniscus.

"I feel for him and for the club because he was really playing well, really improving," manager Rob Thomson said the day after the injury.

With Pache out, Dalton Guthrie has assumed the backup center fielder role. Guthrie, like Pache, will start against certain lefties, though starter Brandon Marsh has given Thomson confidence to play him more with his early-season success against same-handed pitching. Marsh is hitting .348 with six extra-base hits in 25 plate appearances against southpaws this season after hitting .220 with four extra-base hits in 186 plate appearances his first two years.

"I'm good with him and (Bryson) Stott," Thomson said over the weekend. "They're both having good at-bats against lefties."

The Phillies face a difficult one in Julio Urias Tuesday night as Bryce Harper returns to the lineup. They'll have to make a corresponding roster move prior to the game to activate their former MVP.

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