It has been some time since the Philadelphia Phillies saw their 2011 season end in the NLDS. The Phillies lost that series in five games to the St. Louis Cardinals. In the final play of that game, Phillies slugger Ryan Howard(notes) was seen limping toward first base before he collapsed on the field. It was a sad last image for Phillies fans. It was soon revealed that Howard had ruptured his Achilles tendon and would need surgery. Now that December has arrived and the injury is nearly two months old, there is some positive news to report regarding Howard’s rehab. The first baseman is no longer using crutches.

Of course, the rehab process for Howard still has a long way to go. He is still wearing a walking boot and he is still limping. But according to Howard, the rehab process has been progressing. That is a great sign for Phillies fans. As long as Howard is feeling good, there is no reason to think he isn’t on track for a return. The time frame for Howard is still pretty vague. The standard line of thought has him missing about six months of action. That would bring him back in April or May. All things considered, that isn’t a whole lot of time to miss considering the injury. There is also the possibility that Howard could return sooner.

The status of Howard is important to the Phillies. He is at the beginning of a five year deal worth $125 million. Based on that investment, a complete recovery is essential for Howard. Not only that, but he still represents the biggest offensive threat on the team. Howard strikes out a lot and he was terrible against the Cardinals. But the Phillies and their fans know that this is still a guy that can produce runs as well as any player in the league. The Phillies simply can’t afford to miss him for an extended period of time.

At this point, news that Howard is progressing and feeling good is about as good as it can get. It will be a while before there is any clear target of his return. Ideally he will continue to improve and be on schedule to join the team in spring training. But everyone will just need to wait and see if that goal can become a reality.

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The Philadelphia Phillies were suspected to be interested in Jim Thome(notes) before the trade deadline. This made us Phillies fans breathless with anticipation at the prospect of Thome coming home, and maybe wrapping up his career with a championship.

Both of those things didn’t come true – yet now it has been reported by the Associated Press that the beloved former Philadelphia first baseman is coming back after all. It is under different circumstances, although they are actually quite fitting.

Thome became a fan favorite after only three years of work, which made it harder for Philadelphia to let him go. But it had no choice since a prospect named Ryan Howard(notes) was rising up as the new first baseman, and Thome’s injuries gave the Phillies more of an excuse to cut ties. We had no other reason to regret the move when Howard became an MVP, but it is a bit different these days.

Howard is now a pariah after two straight disappointing postseasons – and thanks to his last-second injury against the St. Louis Cardinals, he may not be able to redeem himself until mid-2012. As such, the Phillies are now bringing Thome on to fill in for an injured, aging and vulnerable Howard this time around.

Thome is now 41 years old and not good for much more than the occasional home run. He can’t fully make up for the loss of power from Howard’s absence, but he can be a place holder until he returns. He can still swing the bat, as he proved when he hit two home runs in one game – including his 600′th career blast – this past August. Plus with Thome back at first, John Mayberry(notes) Jr. can stay in left field to replace Raul Ibanez(notes) and Chase Utley(notes) can stay at second.

When Howard returns, the Phillies will still have options on how to fill out the rest of his one-year contract. He can be a valuable pinch-hitter, which Philadelphia certainly needs more of – yet if he turns out to be expendable, he could be used as trade bait to help the Phillies make another big deal.

There would have been a big celebration if Thome came back last summer. But although there will be a good deal of joy in Philadelphia now, it is a bit more subdued because it isn’t under ideal circumstances. Not only does it come after this bitter October, it comes at a time when the Phillies had to turn to a 41-year-old to try and fill the gap for Howard.

It may take more than Thome’s comeback to lift Philadelphia’s spirits, especially since it may actually need him to be an important piece for a little while. However, the Phillies got lucky in making the smooth transition from Thome to Howard years ago. As such, it would be fitting and relieving if the transition from Howard back to Thome can be smoother than it has been so far, if that is still possible.

Robert Dougherty is a life-long Philadelphia resident who has followed the Phillies since he was eight years old.

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By Grant Brisbee

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Nov 4, 2011 – Used to be that the Phillies had a prospect in AAA named Ryan Howard who would come up in every trade rumor because he was blocked by Jim Thome. Things are just a little different in 2011. With Howard injured and their bench thin, the Phillies signed Thome to a one-year deal according to CSN Philly:

Thome signs w Phillies for 1.25 M according to source. Physical on Sat

Assuming that the physical indicates that Thome can still mash taters with impunity, he’ll serve a couple of vital roles for the Phillies. First, he’ll be a left-handed bat off the bench, a role that was served this past season mostly by Ross Gload. And second, he’ll presumably play a little first base in the early-season absence of Howard.

The Phillies’ season ended with Howard tearing his Achilles’ tendon while running to first base. He isn’t likely to be ready for the start of the 2012 season, as the recovery time for his injury is usually five to six months.

Thome played for the Twins and Indians last season, compiling a respectable .256/.361/.477 season line. The last time he played more than a handful of innings at first base was in 2005, his last season with the Phillies. 

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BOXSCORE: 2011 Philadelphia Phillies At 2011 Texas Rangers         10/22/2011
 
  Phillies           AB  R  H RBI AVG     Rangers            AB  R  H RBI AVG
  J.Rollins SS        5  0  1  0 .167     I.Kinsler 2B        5  1  2  0 .154  
  C.Utley 2B          4  0  1  0 .273     E.Andrus SS         3  0  0  0 .091  
  H.Pence RF          4  0  1  0 .250     J.Hamilton CF       4  0  1  0 .250  
  R.Howard 1B         3  0  0  0 .300     M.Young DH          4  1  2  1 .375  
  S.Victorino CF      3  1  0  0 .000     A.Beltre 3B         3  0  0  0 .364  
  R.Ibanez LF         3  0  0  0 .000     M.Napoli 1B         3  2  2  0 .200  
  P.Polanco 3B        4  1  2  1 .250     N.Cruz RF           4  0  4  3 .500  
  C.Ruiz C            4  0  1  0 .222     Y.Torrealba C       4  0  1  0 .250  
  R.Gload DH          4  0  1  1 .167     C.Gentry LF         4  0  0  0 .143  
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      
         Totals      34  2  7  2                 Totals      34  4 12  4
 
 
Phillies........ 0 1 0  0 0 1  0 0 0  -  2  7  0
Rangers......... 0 1 0  1 1 0  0 1    -  4 12  1
 
Phillies (1-2)           IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA  SCORESHEET
C.Hamels LOSS(0-1)        4 1/3   7   3   3   1   6   0  86   6.23  A1 C3
K.Kendrick                2 1/3   3   0   0   1   1   0  31   0.00  C4 D4
A.Bastardo                0 1/3   1   1   1   0   0   0   8   6.75  D5 D6
B.Lidge                   1       1   0   0   0   1   0  18   0.00  D7
Totals                    8      12   4   4   2   8   0
 
Rangers (2-1)            IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR  PC    ERA  SCORESHEET
C.Lewis WIN(1-0)          6       6   2   2   2   5   0 102   3.00  A1 C8
D.Oliver                  0       1   0   0   0   0   0   1   ----  C9 C9
M.Adams HOLD(2nd)         1       0   0   0   0   2   0  11   0.00  D1 D3
N.Feliz SAVE(2nd)         2       0   0   0   1   3   0  38   3.00  D4
Totals                    9       7   2   2   3  10   0
 
ATTENDANCE- 46,101 DATE- Saturday, October 22nd 2011 TIME- Night WEATHER- Good
T- 3:05
LEFT ON BASE- Phillies: 8  Rangers: 9
DOUBLE PLAYS- Phillies: 1  Rangers: 0
ERRORS- N.Cruz
DOUBLES- C.Ruiz(2nd), R.Gload(1st), N.Cruz(1st)
TRIPLES- N.Cruz(1st)
STOLEN BASES- S.Victorino(1st), I.Kinsler(1st), M.Napoli(1st)
SACRIFICE HITS- E.Andrus
WALKS- R.Howard, S.Victorino, R.Ibanez, A.Beltre, M.Napoli
STRIKE OUTS- J.Rollins-2, C.Utley-2, H.Pence-2, S.Victorino, C.Ruiz-2, R.Gload,
             I.Kinsler, M.Young, A.Beltre-2, M.Napoli, Y.Torrealba-2, C.Gentry
GIDP- I.Kinsler
2-out RBI- P.Polanco
WEB GEMS- Top 6th: Nelson Cruz robbed Ryan Howard of an extra base hit.
 
SCORESHEET: 2011 Philadelphia Phillies at 2011 Texas Rangers
J.Rollin-A1  A1:E/9     B1:K       C1:Si      D1:FO/4    E1:K
                                                         
                                                         
C.Utley-A1   A2:F/7     *3*:Si     C2:K       D2:K
                                              
                                              
H.Pence-A1   A3:K       B3:PkOff/  C3:F/9     D3:K
                        13>1o Si              
                                              
R.Howard-A1  A4:W>12 b  B4:Force/  *6*:F/9    *8*:G/31
             1          26>1o b1              
                                              
S.Victor-A1  A5:K       B5:G/13    C5:W>b1    D5:P/6
                                              
                                              
R.Ibanez-A1  *2*:G/13   *4*:G/63   C6:SB>12   D6:W>b1
                                   G/43>23    
                                              
P.Polanc-A1  A7:Si      B7:G/53    C7:Si>3#   D7:G/63
                                              
                                              
C.Ruiz-A1    A8:Do>13   B8:K       C8:P/6     *9*:K
                                              
                                              
R.Gload-A1   A9:G/43>3  *5*:G/13   *7*:Do     D9:K
             # 23                             
                                              
 
I.Kinsle-A1  A1:K       *3*:Si     *5*:Si     D1:G-DP/5  E1:F/7
                                              43>1o      
                                                         
E.Andrus-A1  A2:G/63    B2:Sac/54  C2:SB>12   *7*:G/13
                        >12        G/23       
                                              
J.Hamilt-A1  A3:G/53    B3:G/53    C3:Si>23   D3:L/4
                                              
                                              
M.Young-A1   *2*:Si     B4:K       C4:G/3>3#  D4:Si
                                   12         
                                              
A.Beltre-A1  A5:K       *4*:K      C5:IW>b1   D5:F/8
                                              
                                              
M.Napoli-A1  A6:Si>12   B6:W>b1    C6:K       *8*:Si
                                              
                                              
N.Cruz-A1    A7:Si>2#   B7:Tr>1#   *6*:Si     D7:SB>12
             13                               Do>2#
                                              
Y.Torrea-A1  A8:F/8     B8:K       C8:Si>12   D8:K
                                              
                                              
C.Gentry-A1  A9:K       B9:F/8     C9:P/4     D9:F/9

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PHILADELPHIA — Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard might miss the start of spring training and possibly part of the regular season after tearing an Achilles tendon.

The power-hitting first baseman was injured on the final play of Philadelphia’s season-ending loss to St. Louis in Game 5 of the NL division series Friday night, falling as he ran out of the batter’s box on his groundout.

The team said Saturday night an MRI revealed a rupture of Howard’s left Achilles tendon.

“He cannot have surgery until the swelling resolves, and it has not been determined who will perform the surgery,” the Phillies said in a statement. “Recovery time won’t be known until after the surgery is complete, and there is no guarantee he will be ready for spring training.”

Injuries of that type usually require at least six months of recuperation. When soccer star David Beckham tore his Achilles tendon on March 14 last year, he was sidelined until Sept. 11.

The voluntary reporting date for position players is in late February, and the Phillies open at Pittsburgh on April 5, two days shy of six months after Howard was hurt.

Howard, the 2006 NL MVP, batted .253 with a team-high 33 homers and 116 RBIs this season to help Philadelphia win its fifth straight NL East title. The Phillies set a club record with 102 wins.

Howard was 2 for 19 (.105) with a homer and six RBIs in the NL playoffs against the Cardinals. The slugger went 0 for 4 in the series finale as Chris Carpenter pitched St. Louis to a 1-0 victory, finishing off a stunning upset of the Phillies.

Philadelphia also said left-hander Cole Hamels will have loose bodies removed from his left elbow on Friday and another surgery a week later to repair a hernia.

Right fielder Hunter Pence and second baseman Placido Polanco will both have MRIs to evaluate their hernias. Polanco probably will have surgery and the scan will help determine what Pence needs.

First baseman Ross Gload probably will have arthroscopic surgery on his right hip after it is re-examined by Dr. Bryan Kelly.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Updated Oct 9, 2011 6:31 AM ET

PHILADELPHIA (AP)

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard might miss the start of spring training and possibly part of the regular season after tearing an Achilles’ tendon.

The power-hitting first baseman was injured on the final play of Philadelphia’s season-ending loss to St. Louis in Game 5 of the NL division series Friday night, falling as he ran out of the batter’s box on his groundout.

The team said Saturday night an MRI revealed a rupture of Howard’s left Achilles tendon.

”He cannot have surgery until the swelling resolves, and it has not been determined who will perform the surgery,” the Phillies said in a statement. ”Recovery time won’t be known until after the surgery is complete, and there is no guarantee he will be ready for spring training.”

Injuries of that type usually require at least six months of recuperation. When soccer star David Beckham tore his Achilles’ tendon on March 14 last year, he was sidelined until Sept. 11.

The voluntary reporting date for position players is in late February, and the Phillies open at Pittsburgh on April 5, two days shy of six months after Howard was hurt.

Howard, the 2006 NL MVP, batted .253 with a team-high 33 homers and 116 RBIs this season to help Philadelphia win its fifth straight NL East title. The Phillies set a club record with 102 wins.

Howard was 2 for 19 (.105) with a homer and six RBIs in the NL playoffs against the Cardinals. The slugger went 0 for 4 in the series finale as Chris Carpenter pitched St. Louis to a 1-0 victory, finishing off a stunning upset of the Phillies.

Philadelphia also said left-hander Cole Hamels will have loose bodies removed from his left elbow on Friday and another surgery a week later to repair a hernia.

Right fielder Hunter Pence and second baseman Placido Polanco will both have MRIs to evaluate their hernias. Polanco probably will have surgery and the scan will help determine what Pence needs.

First baseman Ross Gload probably will have arthroscopic surgery on his right hip after it is re-examined by Dr. Bryan Kelly.