Phillies manager Charlie Manuel told MLB Network Radio Wednesday he still plans to ease first baseman Ryan Howard back into the lineup when a left-handed starter is on the hill. Howard is mired in a 2-for-22 slump in his last six games and is batting .171 against left-handed pitchers this season.
"I'm going to work him back in against left-handed pitchers," Manuel said. "His knee is a little sore, but eventually we'll turn him back loose against righties and lefties."