Phillies Notes: Phillies likely to activate Howard on Friday

NEW YORK - Ryan Howard had yet to play a full minor-league game at first base until Thursday and has not appeared there on back-to-back days, but he likely will bat cleanup for the Phillies on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, so Howard will return to the majors less than nine months after Achilles tendon surgery. He played in seven minor-league rehabilitation games, finishing with a 2-for-3, two-walk night at triple-A Lehigh Valley.

"I think he thinks he's ready," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said before Thursday's 6-5 Phillies loss to New York. "But we'll see."

After the defeat, Amaro admitted it's "likely" Howard will return Friday. The first baseman will see team doctors in the morning before making it official.

Multiple factors are at play. The Phillies apparently decided additional rehab games had little benefit for Howard. The team is in last place with the trade deadline looming, and a less-than-100-percent Howard could offer more than the current options.

Atlanta is throwing three righthanded pitchers at the Phils this weekend. Additionally, none of the Phillies' three local minor-league affiliates will be home Saturday or Sunday.

The timing presents a wrinkle, too. When Howard returns this weekend, he will have four days without the luxury of minor-league action during the all-star break. Amaro was asked how Howard would use that break if he plays in the majors this weekend.

"It may not be the worst thing for him to get some time off," the GM said. "You just don't know how he'll react and what kind of adrenaline there will be. We'll take it one day at a time with him."

Manager Charlie Manuel said he watched video of Howard's minor-league at-bats and is encouraged by what he has seen.

Amaro, likewise, claimed Howard's mobility is acceptable.

"He's not a speedster and he'll probably be a little slower than he was before," Amaro said. "He's moving OK. He's had a tiny hitch in his giddy-up, I guess, but when he's running full speed he looks pretty smooth."

Howard has conceded he likely will not be 100 percent until 2013. At this point, the last-place Phillies could use whatever jolt he can provide.

A game-tying home run Wednesday was not enough to alter the Phillies' plan for Chase Utley. They have stuck to a "two days on, one day off" schedule for the second baseman. So he sat Thursday despite Manuel's temptations.

"I was definitely thinking about it," Manuel said.

The manager said it's feasible Utley could play all three games against Atlanta in the first half's final weekend. Utley pinch-hit Thursday and singled but did not remain in the game.

"He's going to get turned loose," Manuel said. "I want to play him every day. But he's worked hard. He's come a long ways. We don't want to burn him out or tire him. We want to make sure we build him up."

Laynce Nix is still at least a week away from beginning an official rehab assignment. He has been sidelined by a left calf strain since May 10.

"He's feeling a lot more optimistic," Amaro said. "He did have that setback, but he's doing pretty good. He'll be back after the break. How far after, I'm not sure."

Roy Halladay will throw a bullpen session Saturday then likely head to Florida for a rehab assignment during the all-star break. . . . Domonic Brown has not played for triple-A Lehigh Valley since June 14 because of a sprained right knee. Amaro said Brown could go to Florida on Friday to begin a rehab assignment. . . . Cliff Lee could pitch out of the bullpen this weekend, if needed. Lee started Wednesday and will not start again until after the all-star break.