Asche was responsible for the Phillies' only run Wednesday against the Marlins, going 1-for-3 with a solo homer.

On April 15, Asche was sitting on a .500 batting average; he proceeded to go 0-for-8 over the next two games, but has bounced back a bit, hitting safely in four straight. All in all, he's shaping up like a surprisingly credible fantasy play at third base.

Asche hit third in the order against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, going 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.

The move was mostly due to Chase Utley's absence from the lineup, but also shows how highly the Phillies regard the 24-year-old third baseman. Asche now owns a .884 OPS on the season and could benefit greatly if and when the Phils fall out of contention and begin dealing their veteran players.

Asche got on base all four times up Wednesday, collecting two singles, a double and a walk in a loss to the Mets.

With that, Asche's a .500 hitter on the year so far -- and that after starting the season 1-for-7. Since then, he's gone 11-for-17 with four walks. Asche's never shown elite offensive ability, but he's had decent offensive numbers in the minors and could be a surprisingly competent third-base asset this year.

Asche went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's loss to the Mets.

Asche is off to a nice start to the season. He is hitting .429 (9-for-21) with the home run and two RBI.

Manager Ryne Sandberg said he gave Asche a second straight day off Saturday because he wanted to keep Andres Blanco's bat in the lineup, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Blanco was coming off a solid game Friday, so Sandberg gave him another start. Asche, who did pinch hit Saturday, should be back in the lineup Sunday against Max Scherzer.

Asche is not in the lineup Friday, the Morning Call's Stephen Gross reports.

With lefty Gio Gonzalez on the mound for the Nationals, the Phillies will give Asche the day off and Andres Blanco will get the start at third base. Look for Asche to be back in the lineup Saturday against righty Doug Fister.

Asche (back) went 2-for-4 with a double in a minor league game Sunday, the Phillies' official site reports.

Asche had not played since Thursday when he was scratched because of tightness in his back. He did not play in the field Sunday, but should be able to do so soon. Asche said he will be ready for Opening Day.

Asche was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to back tightness, Jim Salisbury of CSN reports.

Asche could miss a game or two as the team monitors the situation, but at this point it doesn't look to be anything serious. Barring a setback, he'll likely open the season as the Phillies' starting third baseman.

Manager Ryne Sandberg is happy with what he sees from Asche at the plate this spring, the Phillies' official site reports. "He has a real good two-strike approach," Sandberg said. "He's putting balls in play, and he has a short, nice, sweet stroke resulting in some balls hit hard and home runs here in the camp. I think he took to heart our suggestions over the offseason, and he's showing results through the camp."

Asche is 8-for-30 at the plate this spring with a pair of home runs. Maikel Franco, his primary competition at third base, was optioned to the minors on Friday, further solidifying Asche's grip on a starting job. He is looking to improve on his .252/.309/.390 line and 10 home runs from last season.

Asche (triceps) returned to the lineup Thursday and went 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Asche left Monday's game after he was hit by a pitch on the forearm. He is set to open the season as the Phillies' starting third baseman.

Asche was removed from Monday's Grapefruit League game after being hit by pitch.

It seems as though it was more of a precautionary measure, and manager Ryne Sandberg indicated that he was not too concerned. Barring any further update to his status, Asche will likely only be sidelined temporarily, if that.

Manager Ryne Sandberg wants Asche spending 95 percent of his time getting ready to play third base this spring, the Phillies' official site reports.

Asche has been getting some work in left field this offseason to increase his versatility, but the Phillies want him to be their Opening Day third baseman. The ability to play left field could come in handy for Asche when prospect Maikel Franco is ready for a look at third later this season.

Asche has reported to spring training early and has been getting some reps in left field, CSN Philly reports. "He's doing some light drills out there, getting acclimated to outfield drills, rudimentary stuff," GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

Amaro also said Asche is still viewed as the Phillies' opening day third baseman. Maikel Franco will be in camp to push Asche for the job, but he is expected to open the year in the minors. Asche could transition to the outfield later this season if Franco is pushing for a promotion.

Manager Ryne Sandberg said Asche will possibly try playing first base and left field during spring training, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said earlier this winter that the third base job is Asche's to lose next spring. That probably hasn't changed, but the team will eventually have to consider a position change for Asche since top prospect Maikel Franco isn't far off from getting a long term shot in the majors.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the third base job is Asche's to lose next spring, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. "I would say Cody is going to be our third baseman," Amaro said. "I think it's his to have and to lose as far as where it stands right now."

Asche hit .252 with 10 home runs and 46 RBI for the Phillies this past season. He'll face some competition from Maikel Franco in camp, but it sounds like Franco could be ticketed for more time in Triple-A unless the Phillies trade or release Ryan Howard this offseason.

GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the Phillies do not currently have any plans to shift Asche to the outfield, the team's official site reports. "We've talked about it, but at this stage, he's a third baseman," Amaro said.

Asche could be tried in the outfield in the spring if the Phillies are able to move an outfielder via a trade this offseason. If not, he'll face competition from Maikel Franco for the starting third base job during spring training.

Asche is out of the lineup Sunday against the Braves.

Asche has made three consecutive starts at the hot corner for the Phillies, but will give way to the 22-year-old Maikel Franco on Sunday afternoon. Asche has finished the season on a positive note, with four multi-hit games since Sept. 10, and a .283 batting average on the month.

Asche was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and one RBI in the Phillies' come-from-behind win over Atlanta on Friday night.

Asche has put together a respectable season with a .255 average while driving in 46 runs, but he may need more production with top prospect Maikel Franco expected to be heavily involved in the corner infield mix next season.

Asche went 2-for-5 with a double and a two-run homer in Friday's 3-1 win over the Marlins.

Asche was the hero of Friday's bout with the Marlins, as he blasted a walk-off roundtripper in the bottom of the 10th. The 24-year-old third baseman has been on a roll recently, batting .370 (10-for-27) with five extra-base hits over his last nine games.

Asche is not in the starting lineup Tuesday for the third straight game, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Maikel Franco gets another start at third for the Phillies. There has been no word of an injury to Asche. He will likely be back in the lineup Wednesday, but his playing time could remain inconsistent over the remainder of the season as the Phillies try to get a look at Franco.