Phillips (thumb) has been cleared to swing a bat, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. The surgeon who repaired Phillips' torn thumb tendon examined the 33-year-old on Thursday and gave him clearance to resume swinging. Trainer Paul Lessard said Phillips took some swings off a tee later in the day, but stressed that his concern is more with Phillips in the field. The four-time Gold Glover remains limited to taking groundballs with a flat glove, but regardless, he appears on track to beat his six-week estimated recovery timetable.