Phillies Notes | Myers seeking a June 18 return

NEW YORK -

Brett Myers

is throwing again.

The Phillies' closer made 60 throws from 60 feet on flat ground yesterday at Shea Stadium. He reported no problems, and said June 18 was his target date to return from a strained right shoulder.

Myers added that he could return earlier if everything went well. He said he would need just one minor-league rehabilitation appearance before returning to the bullpen.

The righthander also said he would not rejoin the rotation this season but would consider such a return after the season. He said he preferred the bullpen.

"I might overthink as a starter," Myers said. "As a reliever, let 'er rip."

Myers recounted a limousine drive to New York on Monday night with his wife and two children. Just before the limo reached the Lincoln Tunnel, it got a flat tire. The driver knew little about changing a tire, so Myers rolled up his sleeves and did it himself.

First baseman

Ryan Howard

put on his running shoes, grabbed his iPod, and ran laps at Shea, which is unusual for an everyday player (pitchers often run before games).

Howard said it wasn't a precursor to a six-minute mile or the New York Marathon.

"It's a maintenance run," he explained.

Howard returned from the disabled list on May 25 after missing 15 days with a strained left quadriceps. He said the running program was designed to maintain a healthy quad.

Howard said he planned to run two to three times a week.

"The quad is fine," he said.

He entered last night's game against the New York Mets hitting .258, with four home runs and 12 RBIs, in 10 games since his return. He was hitting .217, with 10 homers and 35 RBIs, in 39 games overall.

He joked that his running program also would help his heart.

Does he have good tunes for the run?

"I might go get the Rocky compilation soundtrack," Howard said.

Righthander

Jon Lieber

wasn't with the team last night because his wife, Jessica, just gave birth to a boy.

- Todd Zolecki
and Jim Salisbury