By: Tim Kelly, Managing Editor 
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr hasn't played a game in the 2016 season after tearing the sheath around his wrist in a Spring Training game, though it appears Altherr will play for the Phillies at some point in 2016.
When Altherr had surgery on March 9, his estimated return time was four to six months. While Altherr is a few days shy of four months since his surgery, general manager Matt Klentak told a group of reporters, including MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, that Altherr is close to beginning a rehab stint:
He is taking live batting practice in Clearwater, Fla., and he should be ready for a rehab assignment sometime within the next week or two.
Klentak would go on to estimate to the group, including Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer, that Altherr may be about five weeks away from returning to the big leagues.
Though Altherr was expected to be a starter on Opening Day, it's not clear what his role will be when he returns to the Phillies. Odubel Herrera, now an All-Star, is a lock to start in center field, and both Cody Asche and Peter Bourjos are playing very well at the moment. Either could be traded before the August 1 non-waiver trade deadline, though given that the Phillies wouldn't be likely to get much of a return for either, it's certainly not a lock that one of the two gets moved. With Dylan Cozens, Nick Williams and Roman Quinn all in the upper levels of the Phillies' minor league system, Altherr's long-term fit is also unclear.
Altherr batted .241 with five home runs and 22 RBIs in 39 games at the big league level in 2015, after a breakout season in the minors. Early returns were also good on the 25-year-old's fielding in his limited big league time.
