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Monday, June 22, 2009

Just received an update from the Phillies on Ryan Howard, who has been out of the line-up for two straight games with an illness:

“Ryan Howard was seen by Dr. Marc Harwood today.  After reviewing previous tests and evaluating him, Dr. Harwood has diagnosed him with acute sinusitis,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement.   “His fever is gone and he will rest at home today.  If he feels better, Ryan will travel tomorrow to Tampa Bay to rejoin the team.  We are hopeful he will be able to play tomorrow as well.”

So it sounds like Howard will not be on the team flight tonight to Tampa Bay. But if he feels better he'll fly down tomorrow morning and could potentially play tomorrow night.

*

Chase Utley and Raul Ibanez continue to lead in the National League All-Star voting at their respective positions, but Jimmy Rollins has been passed by Florida’s Hanley Ramriez for the starting spot at shortstop.

After leading for the last 2 weeks, Rollins now trails Ramirez by 154,016 votes. Ramirez has 1,648,482 votes to 1,494,466 for Rollins.

Utley continues to run away from the Dodgers’ Orlando Hudson, but has fallen behind St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols as the top overall NL vote-getter.

Utley has 2,922,796 votes, to 2,934,794 for Pujols, who has a comfortable lead on the Phillies’ Ryan Howard at first base.

Ibanez, on the disabled list with a groin strain, has 2,465,539 to lead in the outfield. Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun is second (2,178,144), followed by the Mets’ Carlos Beltran (1,779,344). The Cubs’ Alfonso Soriano is fourth (1,639,664) followed by the Phillies’ Shane Victorino (1,371,362). Suspended Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez remains in sixth (1,162,507).

At third base, the Phils’ Pedro Feliz is fourth (the Mets’ David Wright leads) and catcher Carlos Ruiz is fifth (the Cardinals’ Yadier Molina has the top spot).

Starters for the July 14 game in St. Louis will be announced July 5.

Charlie Manuel will manager the NL All-Stars.

*

To read our earlier post on the current state of the Phillies, click here
 

Posted by David Murphy @ 5:09 PM  Permalink | 14 comments
14
Comments   
Posted 12:44 PM, 06/22/2009
Ryan
well. atleast it ain't swine flu. get well soon Ryan. we need ya!
Posted 01:15 PM, 06/22/2009
fan_in_jerusalem
Utley and Ibanez deserve the start. Howard would deserve it if there wasn't a guy named Pujols playing the same posistion. Feliz, Ruiz and Vic are all having good years, but not all star starting caliber years. Rollins is having a AA caliber year (his leading up to know was a joke) Werth is a good player but nowhere near All star yet. I'd like to see Howard and Ruiz get teh nod as back-ups. (too many 3b ahead of Feliz to warrant it sorry to say). none of our pitchers deserve to be anywhere near the AllStar game this year.
Posted 01:36 PM, 06/22/2009
wearethechampions
howard's got a fever and we all know the only cure for a fever is more cowbell! off to tampa it is!
Posted 01:36 PM, 06/22/2009
wearethechampions
howard's got a fever and we all know the only cure for a fever is more cowbell! off to tampa it is!
Posted 01:38 PM, 06/22/2009
palmyra21
well our pitchers can throw in the home run derby...
Posted 02:03 PM, 06/22/2009
fan_in_jerusalem
That's not a bad idea. The last two years we sent people to the HR durby and when they got back they weren't the same (Utley last year and I believe Howard teh year before).Maybe if we send the pitchers to give up HRs when they come back they will be cured for the rest of the season and won't be giving up so many? (Whatever works, right?)
Posted 03:01 PM, 06/22/2009
SEEK313
THAT'S A GREAT IDEA!!!!! I'm not knocking our pitchers, but it might work FOR us, as it worked against us in the past...........whatever works is right!
Posted 06:38 PM, 06/22/2009
misch32
wearethechampions-> lmao, that is brillant. i think getting howard, ibanez and lidge back on track will help this ball club big time!
Posted 08:19 PM, 06/22/2009
Big Earn
Palmyra21 - that was funny. Please don;t let Rollins beat out Ramriez in the voting....that's bad ju-ju. As far as Howard is concerned...please stay sick, you hit better that way.
Comment removed.
Posted 09:57 PM, 06/22/2009
RAS
Home Run Derby ruined Bobby Abreu after his record shattering 55 Dingers. He was never the same hitter after that night.
Posted 10:24 PM, 06/22/2009
en37
wearethechampions that is the best post I've read in a really long time.
Posted 10:46 PM, 06/22/2009
MrPhillie
Love the "More cowbell" reference! But I have to disagree that Howard would be the choice at 1st Base after Pujols. I believe Prince Fielder is having a far better year and thus would be my pick. Actually, Adrian Gonzalez would get the nod over Ryan as well. I think the fans got the Phillies' representatives correct.
Comment removed.
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About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times.

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