Phillies' Ryan Howard Activated From Disabled List

Ryan Howard is almost back. MLB.com's Phillies writer Todd Zolecki tweets that the Phillies have activated him from the 15-day disabled list:

The Phillies have activated Ryan Howard from the DL. They placed Ross Gload on the DL (strained right groin) to make room for him on roster.

Howard would be the last big piece to get healthy for the Phillies' stretch run. The team has been bolstered by the recent returns of Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins.

It is unclear whether Howard will play tonight against the Washington Nationals, though Zolecki indicates he might. If he does, it would be the first time he has faced Nats phenom Stephen Strasburg.

The Phillies have been getting by without slugging first baseman Ryan Howard since early August due to an ankle injury that put him on the DL. Howard wasn't able to return in the minimum amount of time, but today there is some good news:

Ryan Howard has a date in mind for his return: Monday's series opener against the Houston Astros.

"There's still a little bit of soreness," Howard said. "I actually felt good running today."

Mike Sweeney and Ross Gload have received the bulk of the playing time at first in Howard's absence, and, predictably, Howard has been missed.

Initial concerns about Ryan Howard's ankle were allayed when X-rays came back negative, and he wasn't expected to miss more than a few days, but he was then sent back to Philadelphia for further examination, suggesting that things might've been a little more serious than originally thought. And now, sure enough, he's the latest Philly to take a trip to the disabled list:

Howard going on DL #Phillies

Amaro hopes he's back in 2 weeks. Mayberry recalled from Triple-A.

It isn't a major injury, but it is an injury to a major player at an inconvenient time, as the Phillies don't have anyone who can even come close to approximating Howard's bat in the middle of the order. The team will hope to have him back to kick off a nine-game homestand in the middle of August.

Ryan Howard left the Phillies’ game against the Nationals today with what appeared to be an ankle injury sustained while running the bases. The x-rays were negative on his ankle and elbow but no word on whether or not his underwear has been dislodged from his butt.

H/T: The Huffington Post

Just showed Ryan Howard's injury on video at Citi Field. Everyone cheered. Michael Irvin approves.

That's not very nice. But I don't know that I've ever heard Mets fans accused of being very nice.