Howard has full tear of Achilles repaired; out 6 months

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Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard could miss the 2012 season opener after having his left Achilles tendon surgically repaired on Wednesday.

Howard had a full tear, according to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. His leg will be immobilized for about two weeks. He can begin weight-bearing and strengthening exercises in about a month.

Its going to be five to six months from surgery before he can play at his accustomed level, Amaro said. A lot depends on how he recovers and how the surgery takes, but were talking five to six months.

Though Amaro admitted that the start of Howards season could be impacted, he remains hopeful that his cleanup hitter wont miss much time.

It happened on his last at-bat of the season, and I hope he makes his first at-bat of the season, Amaro said.

Howard tore the tendon on his last swing of the season in Game 5 of the Phillies NLDS loss to St. Louis last week.

Howard also had a platelet rich plasma injection in the area of his left ankle tendon. He had been bothered by tendinitis in the area late in the season.

Foot and ankle specialist Mark Myerson performed the surgery in Baltimore.

E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com.

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