Spencer Howard has been scheduled to make his first major-league start in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader versus the Braves. Spencer Howard is one of the Phillies' top prospects. (Steven Kiebach) The much-anticipated debut for the 24-year old right-hander has been expected the past few days. Howard has been working out at the Triple-A Lehigh Valley facilities since the season began. The Phillies chose to keep him off the Opening Day roster in order to ensure an extra year of team control. He would now reach free agency in 2026. The debut was originally reported by the Inquirer's Scott Lauber, but an official announcement has not yet been made pending a corresponding roster move to make room for Howard. MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION Remembering Bart Braun, Whose Fingerprints Are On Everyone In The Phillies OrganizationPhillies’ 2020 Walk-Up SongsJoe Girardi Favors Postseason Expansion In Short And Long TermPhillies Announce That Seranthony Dominguez Had Successful Tommy John SurgeryRhys Hoskins Makes Another Adjustment To His StanceJake Arrieta Says Phillies Are Trying To Follow ‘Exceptional’ Lead Of Joe GirardiFormer Top Prospect Domonic Brown Returns To Reading, This Time As Youth CoachAndrew McCutchen Leads Movement To Bring Unity Among AllKeith Law Discusses State Of Phillies Farm SystemRoman Quinn Says He’s A Fan Of MLB’s New Extra-Innings Rule