Howard to see doctor
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Howard to see doctor
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. —
UPDATE (7:03 p.m.): Ruben Amaro Jr. wanted to clarify Charlie Manuel's comments late Saturday evening. Amaro said Ryan Howard developed a seroma, a type of small cyst, near his wound. That is not the reason for Howard's previously scheduled visit to the doctor.
"The reason to see doctor was routine," Amaro said. "He might treat it. Ryan is doing fine. We don't view it as a setback."
EARLIER:
The recovery process for Ryan Howard will not necessarily always follow a straight line. Such is the nature of a serious injury, like the ruptured Achilles tendon.
Howard will leave camp Sunday night for at least two days to see Mark Myerson, the surgeon who repaired the tendon, in Baltimore. Ruben Amaro Jr. called it a "routine check-up," but Howard was seen with a large bandage on the back of his ankle Saturday morning.
Charlie Manuel said Howard suffered "a little setback" because of an infection where the surgical incision was made.
"Where the incision was, sometimes they leave stitches to dissolve," Manuel said. "One broke through the skin and was hanging out. It was causing a little infection. They pulled it out."
Howard took batting practice Saturday with his teammates and launched a few bombs, one of which hit Jose Contreras' big truck. But the team is being cautious with Howard's return, and that's why he'll head to Baltimore and miss at least two days of workouts.
"They'll be looking and testing him," Manuel said. "That's how I understand. It was nothing they were really alarmed about."
Amaro said Howard has progressed. The first baseman could possibly return in time for workouts Wednesday.
"We thought it was a good idea for him to go back there," Amaro said. "... He's doing pretty well. He's progressing pretty well, and it's a good idea for him to see him before he continues forward with more activities."
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I wish Ryan nothing but the best in his recovery. I blew out my left achilles when I was 30 and it took me a full year to recover to the point where I was comfortable playing basketball at full speed. Minor setbacks are part of the whole process. Best wishes Ryan, but listen to the doctors and trainers, and most importantly, your body.— JohnJacobJingleheimermichaeljackschmidt- $125 million down the drain— davi
- Why is he fielding ground balls at this stage?— philsfansince1946
- Come on ,too many different stories here.Why not just come out with the truth? If nothing to worry about why come all the way back to Baltimore don't phils have someone to put a bandage on?We need updates ,but truthful ones. I don't trust Cholly or Rube— tobyjoe
- It is highly unlikely he will fully recover from Achilles tear, not to mention the mental woes from choking back to back years in the final game of the playoffs. I think this is the beginning of the end for big Ryan.— ziggy26
- Yup, it's not going to be a year with RH. Just take it easy with him, have him get into shape with Pilates, yoga, core work, swimming ... no need to rush this at all.— petergou
- Going to be an interesting season. Saw Jim Thome fielding ground balls while sitting on a stool at first base on the half field earlier today.— Dull
- Just the first of more to come. These things are as frustrating for the patient as they are for the MD and the PTs who rehab them. I have 3 in my clinic right now. It's many months before you can even walk well with no limp, no swelling, no pain, no stiffness, sufficient strength to bolt and pushoff aggressively and no flareups after exertion. Just moving Howard's body out of bed in the morning is considered exertion. It's going to be quite awhile folks, just get used to it.....maybe til after the AS break....and he will not be back to full strength, endurance or productivity at all in 2012. Next year will be his big springback season.....maybe.— Mark1npt
- Agreed. Good post.
Consistently, I have been saying July 20th at the earliest. And if he is reasonably healthy for a late season run in September I would be happy, particularly if the Phils, in close contention up or down, need his bat.
But in the main, you are correct. 2013 is likely his 'comeback year.' Patience of fans aside.— 24sDad - Yep! I agree, Mark. I don't expect Howard to contribute much if anything this year. Mid-season return, at best. Next year is a best case scenario so I'll not expect much from him this year. As always, time will tell. Between Mayberry, Wigginton and Thome I don't see any fall off on offense from 1B - defense, it's anybody's guess. — mannoman
- Idiots and the pessimists are they the only ones who make comments? Seriously, you want the doctor that performed the surgery to attend to the injury and the occassional set backs. I mean I'm no doctor but it just seems to make sense. Howard will be back to his normal homerun hitting RBI machine that he has been since he arrived here. Everyone get a grip.— The Time Is Now
- I agree except you sound like the shoe shine guy in Pride of the Yankees, " Mr. Gehrig, he'el be back. He ain't through." If Ryan gets so much as a hang nail from now on ,he will be done, a blister,out for the season. JEEEZ!
— DUDESKINS - Really? You mean we should expect Howard will once again be the same "machine" whose sluging percentage has been nosediving for the last several years to a career low last year? Or the same "machine" that posted the lowest batting average of his career last year, also following a frightening trend? Or how about the same Howard that hit .226 against lefties last year and would be a legitimate candidate to platoon with Mayberry if not for his massive contract? Oh boy... can't wait for that. — PhillyGuyinNY
- If what they're saying is true, then a simple infection of the incised area isn't any big deal. It'll set him back a week or so- at the most. If there were a problem with the tendon itself, that would be a big concern. Anyone who has had surgery understands this.— jerzeyboy123
- hey guys/gals...and infection isn't further tear, or anything an antibiotic wouldn't cure. calm the hell down.— righty
