Howard will start at first and bat fifth on Tuesday against the Cubs, Kevin Cooney of Calkins Media reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard hasn't started since May 31 due to manager Pete Mackanin giving Tommy Joseph an extended look at first base. Joseph has performed well this season, slashing .311/.313/.590 over 61 at-bats, and it seems Mackanin may give him the more permanent nod to start. Howard is likely slotted in the lineup Tuesday in order to place more left-handed hitters in the lineup against right-handed starter Kyle Hendricks.

Howard will be in the lineup Tuesday according to manager Pete Mackanin, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

This will be Howard's first start since May 31 while the Phillies gave Tommy Joseph a chance to prove himself at first base. Mackanin has stated that he will make a decision regarding the first base playing time soon, but with Joseph recording multi-hit games in three of his five starts it isn't looking good for Howard.

Howard will get a start during the Phillies' series against the Cubs this week, Evan Webeck of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tommy Joseph will make his fifth straight start at first base Sunday, and then will be in the lineup Monday against Jon Lester. Howard will likely start Tuesday. If Joseph keeps hitting, Howard's opportunities will be limited the rest of the season.

Howard will not play in the next three or four games in order to give Tommy Joseph a chance according to manager Pete Mackanin, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

It appears that Mackanin wants to get Tommy Joseph in the lineup more in order to put out the best possible lineup for the Phillies. It was reported that Howard handled the news professionally and with class, which is good for the clubhouse morale. Howard will now hit the bench and try to regroup while Joseph seems to be in a position to grab the starting first base job moving forward.

Howard is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard had been typically getting the starts against right-handed pitching, but the Phillies have been giving Tommy Joseph more playing time recently because of Howard's struggles at the plate. The 36-year-old is hitting just .154 and will likely continue to lose playing time should he fail to perform.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Monday that Howard has not been benched, but he will lose some playing time to Tommy Joseph moving forward, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mackanin felt the need to clarify Howard's role after his comments over the weekend about playing Tommy Joseph more were misconstrued by some reporters. Howard was in the lineup Monday and went 1-for-4 with an RBI and two strikeouts. He is no longer in a straight platoon with Joseph at first base. The two will share time at the position with Joseph still getting all of the starts against lefties.

Howard will start at first base and bat cleanup Monday against the Nationals, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard will get what will be just his second start in the last eight games for the Phillies, as Tommy Joseph continues to see the majority of the starts at first base. A .154 batting average and 33.1 percent strikeout rate has made Howard more of an offensive liability in the early parts of 2016, so Monday's move doesn't necessarily mean he'll be in line for more playing time any time soon.

Manager Pete Mackanin said he will continue to trim Howard's playing time in order to look more at Tommy Joseph, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard has had dwindling production, while Joseph is slashing .286/.289/.571 in his first 35 major league at-bats. For comparison, the veteran Howard has slashed .154/.219/.346 over 136 at-bats in 2016. Mackanin noted that he will start Joseph against right-handed starters, but is unsure of who he will choose to start against lefties.

Howard is out of the lineup Sunday against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Howard made a return to the lineup Saturday, but will sit again Sunday for the sixth time in the last seven games. Only one of those contests have featured a southpaw on the mound for the opposing team, so it appears manager Pete Mackanin is following through with his assertion from earlier this week regarding the reduction of Howard's role. Despite a storied history in Philly, a .154 batting average simply won't cut it for the first baseman, even if shades of his power (eight home runs) remain an aspect of his game. Tommy Joseph and his .810 OPS will get another start in the afternoon contest.

Howard is out of the lineup Friday against the Cubs, the News Journal's Meghan Montemurro reports.

EDGE Analysis

This comes as no surprise as the Cubs are trotting out one of the top lefties in the game in Jon Lester for Friday's matinee. Tommy Joseph will start at first base and hit cleanup in his stead -- a trend that should continue against southpaws.