According to Phillies head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan (*compliments of the congregation of beat writers currently in Clearwater, including Ryan Lawrence of the Delco Times), Ryan Howard has an infection in the area of the achillies where the surgery occurred. However, structurally, the achillies is sound and there is no issue. Howard will go on a series of anitbiotics to combat the infection and will sit for an unspecified period of time.
The good news is, the achillies is healing. So this should not be looked at as much of a setback other than the infection, which is normal in an area like the foot. The Phillies are not calling it a setback, either. The sutures were taken out, so the new wound will have to heal, which is why there is no timetable yet.
Progress had been made by Howard prior to the infection in the area of the surgery, so if he needs to take a week off, that’s fine. Really no sense in rushing him.
Look at this, overall, as positive news for The Big Piece.
Below is video from our good friend Ryan Lawrence of the Delco Times – check out his blog, Phollowing the Phils.
Pat GallenPat joined Phillies Nation in July 2009, coming over from Examiner.com. As a previous employee of both Comcast SportsNet and the National Basketball Association, Pat prides himself on being a well-rounded individual when it comes to sports. However, the Phillies are first on the list. You’ll usually find Pat chiming in on the Phillies Nation Facebook or Twitter account, weekdays on 97.3 ESPN radio or hosting Phillies Nation TV. He’s also a Senior Writer for the site, and in his free time is a music enthusiast and Will Ferrell movie-follower. His favorite beer: Philly’s own Yards. In 2015, Pat moved on from Phillies Nation as a sports anchor and reporter for CBS-3 in Philadelphia.
