Manager Pete Mackanin said he will "lean toward" giving Howard a little more playing time since he is likely in his last few weeks as a member of the Phillies, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard, who will be a free agent after the season, started a second straight game at first base Tuesday and went 0-for-3 with an RBI. He has been splitting time fairly evenly of late with Tommy Joseph, but will be on the bench the next two days. Mackanin said Joseph will start Wednesday and Thursday.

Howard went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Howard's long ball was the exclamation point to a four-run third inning off Washington starter A.J. Cole. The veteran first baseman has been abusing Nationals pitching with homers in each of his last two starts against them. While he still possesses significant power at age 36, Howard's .195 average makes him essentially useless when he doesn't hit one into the seats.

Howard is out of the lineup Sunday against the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

Howard didn't react positively to reports of his role being reduced, but he has still started back-to-back games following the announcement earlier this week. He'll give way to Tommy Joseph at first base Sunday, however, despite the fact that a right-hander is taking the hill for the opposing team.

Howard started at first base Friday and went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in a 8-4 loss to the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Pete Mackanin said earlier this week that Howard's role would be reduced, which led to Howard voicing his displeasure in the media. On Friday, Mackanin clarified his position, telling Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia that Howard would "get more playing time than he thinks." Howard has made a case for playing time with a .295/.330/.632 slash line and nine home runs since the beginning of July.

Manager Pete Mackanin indicated Howard's role will be reduced moving forward, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard has been in the lineup more frequently of late due to improved production at the plate. However, he will be a free agent after the season and the Phillies are looking toward the future. Manager Pete Mackanin said he wants to see Tommy Joseph get more at-bats against right-handed pitching next month.

Howard went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and two strikeouts in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Howard's homer provided all of Philadelphia's offense in this one, as the rest of the lineup managed just two hits against Nationals ace Max Scherzer. The veteran first baseman reached the 20-homer mark for the third straight season, but his 31.3 percent strikeout rate makes him an extremely hit-or-miss option.

Howard is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mets, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard had started three straight games for Philadelphia, going just 1-for-10 in that time, bringing his batting average down to .194 for the year. He'll get the day off as Tommy Joseph starts at first and bats cleanup for the Phillies.

Howard is in the lineup for Wednesday's matchup against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The Phillies are playing in Chicago's American League ballpark, so Howard will be Philadelphia's DH and hit cleanup Wednesday evening. Howard has continued to perform well during his resurgent second half to the season and is hitting .300/.364/.633 with three home runs and 11 RBI over the last 14 days.

Howard is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Despite the fact that the Phillies are playing in an American League park this week, Howard will still take a seat Tuesday with Philadelphia facing southpaw Carlos Rodon. Carlos Ruiz will serve as the DH instead of Howard, but Howard could draw in Wednesday against James Shields.

Howard is in the lineup Sunday against the Cardinals, Stephen Gross of the Morning Call reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tommy Joseph will head back to the bench as Howard gets the nod to start at first and bat cleanup. Howard owns a disappointing .197 batting average for the season, but has hit .345/.387/.776 with seven home runs since the All-Star break.