Howard On The Disabled List
The Phillies have placed first baseman Ryan Howard on the 15-day disabled list with a moderate left ankle sprain, Senior Vice President and General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today. To replace Howard on the Phillies' 25-man roster, the team recalled outfielder John Mayberry Jr. from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Howard, 30, was hitting .292 with 23 home runs and a National League-leading 81 RBI in 104 games for the Phillies this season. He suffered the injury while sliding back into second base in Sunday's game against Washington at Nationals Park. Howard is the 15th different Phillie to land on the disabled list this season. Mayberry, 26, was hitting .258 (99-for-383) with 12 home runs and 54 RBI in 99 games for Lehigh Valley this season.
Howard's placement on the DL means that each of the Phillies' Opening Day starting infield, (Howard, Placido Polanco, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley) have all spent time on the DL this season. Howard would be expected to return to the team on Thursday, August 19 when the Phillies host the San Francisco Giants.
