Phillies Notes | Howard accepts invite to defend derby crown

HOUSTON - Although he did not make the National League all-star team,

Ryan Howard

will travel to San Francisco on Monday night to defend his championship in the Home Run Derby.

Howard said yesterday that he had accepted Major League Baseball's invitation to take part in the event, and he plans to have Ramon Henderson, the Phillies' batting-practice pitcher, join him.

"I thought about it," Howard said. "It was fun last year, and it's an honor to be invited back."

Phillies have won the last two Home Run Derbies, staged annually the night before the All-Star Game. Bobby Abreu won in Detroit in 2005 and Howard in Pittsburgh last year. Henderson, a fine purveyor of fat ones, pitched to both hitters.

MLB has not finalized the list of competitors for the derby, but the NL could put together a fearsome foursome with Howard, league home-run leader Prince Fielder, Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds. All four are lefthanded hitters, meaning McCovey Cove, the arm of San Francisco Bay just beyond the right-field wall, could see plenty of splashdowns.

Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols also could be under consideration for the NL, but it seems as if MLB has its sights set on Howard, Fielder, Griffey and Bonds. All but Howard are all-stars.

"With Bonds and Griffey and Prince, that field could be ridiculous," said Howard, who entered last night with 19 home runs. "I grew up watching Bonds and Griffey. I'm going to have fun."

Alex Rodriguez, who entered last night leading the majors with 28 homers, leads the American League contestants.

Lefthanded pitcher

Joe Savery,

the Phillies' first-round draft pick out of Rice University in Houston, will be at tonight's game against the Astros with

Steve Cohen,

the Phils' Texas-based scout. Savery has not signed, but a deal could be done by the end of the week.

Another pitcher has gone down. Lefty

Matt Smith,

who pitched well for the Phils in September and opened this season with the club before being sent to triple A, will have ligament-reconstruction (Tommy John) surgery on his elbow today. Recovery time is at least a year.

Brett Myers (shoulder) and Tom Gordon (shoulder) continue to work toward rejoining the club shortly after the all-star break. Gordon will pitch in a game for single-A Clearwater tomorrow. Freddy Garcia has begun a tossing program in Florida. There is no timetable for his return from a shoulder injury.

- Jim Salisbury

Ryan Howard accepts invitation to defend his Home Run Derby title.

D3.