By John Fay

Reds manager Bryan Price says Brandon Phillips looks to be healthy after undergoing surgery to repair a ligament in his left thumb last year.

“He looks great to me, we didn’t come into the season with the precautions or limit the number of swings, he’s not on rehab,” Price said. “I think he’s pretty close to 100 percent physically.”

Phillips hit .266 with eight home runs and 51 RBI last year.

“I have not lost one bit of confidence or expectation that he’s going to have a big year. I don’t think there is any reason to think that he can’t be a reliable and productive offensive player.

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