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Phillies Notebook: Howard set for MRI today

After weeks of limping around, Ryan Howard is on the disabled list with left knee inflammation.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, currently on disabled list, will have an MRI today. (Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)
Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, currently on disabled list, will have an MRI today. (Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)Read more

THE PHILLIES should have a better idea of a prognosis for Ryan Howard when the first baseman undergoes an MRI on his ailing left knee today. Howard, who had an MRI and cortisone shot administered to the knee in May, was placed on the disabled list on Saturday after taking fielding practice prior to that night's game against the Braves.

"We're pretty much going to see if there has been any drastic changes and then come up with a plan and go from there," Howard said.

The knee has plagued Howard throughout the first 3 months of the season, when he has hit just .266 with a .319 OBP, .465 slugging percentage and 11 home runs, all well below his career averages. He said he also has been hampered by some soreness on the bottom of his foot, but that the knee will be the focal point of the visit with doctors today. Howard's maladies have opened the door for Dominic Brown and Darin Ruf; the two had a direct role in five of the Phillies' runs in yesterday's 7-3 win over the Braves. Ruf reached base twice, scoring two runs and hitting a double that led to a third run. Brown, who has assumed Howard's usual spot as cleanup hitter, went 2-for-4 with a triple and his 23rd home run.

Manager Charlie Manuel said yesterday that he expects Ruf to garner most of the playing time at first base in Howard's absence. Ruf spent spring training and most of his 3 months at Triple A learning leftfield, a position that he had never played before August of last season. Manuel did not rule out the possibility of Ruf spending some time in left, but first base will be his primary responsibility as long as Howard is out.

Just how long that will be could depend on a variety of factors, starting with today's visit to the doctors. Despite taking two out of three from the Braves, the Phillies are still three games under .500 and 7 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East. With a four-game series against the Nationals and a three-game series against the White Sox remaining before the All-Star break, the Phillies could get some clarity on their philosophy at the trade deadline before Howard is eligible to return. If they decide to trade away some of their more valuable assets in order to focus on 2014 and beyond, it would make sense to take the same approach with Howard, who still has 3 years and more than $75 million remaining on the contract extension that he signed in April 2010.

Howard said he is not having any problems with the ankle where he had a ruptured Achilles' tendon repaired after the 2011 postseason.

"I guess we'll see what happens [today], really just to get a better understanding of what's going on inside of there," Howard said. "And then, like I said, try to address it from there. As far as surgery or any other injections, right now I guess it is too early to tell. Once we find out, we'll deal with it."

Lineup matters

Charlie Manuel has expressed satisfaction with the way his much-maligned lineup has performed lately. The Phillies are averaging better than 4.5 runs per game since late May, thanks in large part to the emergence of Dom Brown and the improvement of centerfielder Ben Revere and rightfielder Delmon Young. Revere hit an RBI triple yesterday and is now hitting .295 on the season. Young went 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI.

Injury update

Catcher Erik Kratz (knee) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple A Lehigh Valley today. Lefthander Jeremy Horst (elbow) is scheduled to pitch as well.

DN Members Only: Rich Hofmann writes that not only are the Phillies mediocre, they're also anti-hijinks.