CLEARWATER, Fla.Ryan Howard came out of the clubhouse wearing a small glove, the kind a middle infielder usually wears.
Im playing second base this year, he said with a laugh.
Phillies position players dont report to camp until Thursday, but Howard has been here for several weeks, rehabbing from off-season surgery to repair a torn left Achilles' tendon.
Howard wont officially speak with reporters until Wednesday, but the smile on his face Monday showed he was in good spirits.
Manager Charlie Manuel says Howard is ahead of schedule in his recovery, but the Phils arent about to rush his return. Sometime in May, is the answer most often given by team officials when they are asked when Howard is expected to return to the lineup.
We have to make sure he gets his leg completely healed, make sure he doesnt have a relapse, Manuel said Monday. Make sure hes healthy.
Howard continues to make steps toward more significant baseball activity. He took ground balls with that little gloveit forces concentrationon Monday and later took some soft-toss swings in the batting cage.
MLB
He did good, really good, Manuel said.
Howard wore shorts and a scar was visible on the back of his ankle. He walked with a slight limp, but was able to move laterally on some ground balls. The Phils slugging first baseman appears to be carrying a few extra pounds, but thats probably to be expected given that his leg was immobilized for much of the winter. His personal opening day is more than two months away, so he has time to get into shape.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com