Howard went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

Howard has homered in three of his last five games. The two-hit game pushed his average up to .196, giving him a chance to cross the Mendoza Line before the season ends. Despite the poor batting average, Howard has been somewhat productive this year with 24 home runs and a .453 slugging percentage in 316 at-bats.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Howard will play a lot over the Phillies' final nine games of the season, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard returned to the starting lineup Thursday after missing a few games with a sore knee. He went 1-for-2 with a walk and his 23rd home run of the season. He's now hit .272/.344/.642 with nine home runs since the beginning of August.

Howard (knee) is back in the lineup Thursday against the Mets, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard was held out of the lineup four consecutive games due to some issues with his knee, but it seems the extra days off have gotten the slugger back on track to finish out the season. Howard will take over at first base and is expected to get a good number of starts there as the Phillies give him a nice sendoff for all the years he spent with the team.

Howard (knee) will be held out of the lineup Wednesday, but is available to pinch hit, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Some reports cropped up that Howard may not be injured anymore, but manager Pete Mackanin seems content with keeping him on the bench for the time being so that the slugger's knee doesn't flare up and spoil his last hurrah in Philadelphia. Howard could return to the lineup as soon as Thursday when the Phillies face right-hander Seth Lugo and the Mets, but in the meantime, Tommy Joseph will continue to see starts at first base.

Howard (knee) remains out of the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Howard had told reporters that he was aiming for a Tuesday return, but evidently the knee is still presenting issues as Tommy Joseph is slated to start at first base again for Philadelphia. Regardless, Howard seems confident that he will be able to return at some point soon as he looks to finish his farewell tour with the club on a high note.

Howard, who is day-to-day with a left knee injury, told reporters he could be ready to play by Tuesday, Stephen Gross of the Philadelphia Morning Call reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup, and was once again held out in Sunday's series finale. The team had a day off on the schedule Monday, and the veteran first baseman is optimistic that will give him enough rest to be ready to return Tuesday. Until then, Tommy Joseph should see regular starts at first base.

Howard (knee) is out of the lineup Sunday against the Marlins, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to some swelling in his knee, and it seems the inflammation hasn't gone down enough to allow him to play Sunday. Tommy Joseph will slot in at first base in his stead. Consider Howard day-to-day for the time being.

Howard was scratched from Saturday's lineup with a left knee injury, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Apparently Howard has some fluid buildup in his knee, and he was non-committal about returning Sunday, saying "we'll see." Tommy Joseph is now slated to man first base Saturday against Marlins right-hander Jose Urena.

Howard went 1-for-2 with a solo homer and two walks in Friday's 4-3 extra-inning victory over the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran slugger's average remains firmly below the Mendoza Line at .193, but the 36-year-old does have a pair of homers and five RBI over his last six games. His average is a career low by far, a dubious distinction that Howard has managed to offset somewhat with a third consecutive season of 20-plus homers.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Howard will start the next three games against the Marlins at first base, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard has been splitting time at first base fairly evenly of late with Tommy Joseph. Mackanin also said the Phillies plan to start Howard for the team's final three home games of the season against the Mets. They will be Howard's final games with the Phillies before he becomes a free agent.