The Phillies have reached a point with Ryan Howard's knee where they don't know whether he is available to play each day until he reaches the park. Manager Charlie Manuel told the News Journal Tuesday he had to check with Howard after writing his name into the lineup against the Nationals.
"If he’s hurting, I'll talk to him when he gets here," Manuel said hours before the game. "I might have to change my lineup."
Manuel also admitted that Howard's left knee has been a big part of his struggles this season; Howard has just eight home runs, including just two in the last 131 at-bats.
"In Ryan's situation, to use his strength and quick swing, the back side is definitely important," Manuel said. "Push off and balance is what counts. How much it bothers him, I guess he tells us by the way he plays. I've seen where he hasn’t used his legs for quite a while."
Howard has been replaced for pinch runners and defensive replacements at many points this season, and Manuel does not seem to know if that will change moving forward. Howard is hitting .274 with a .784 OPS, the second-lowest mark of his career.