DR HQ: Long-Range Prognosis for Five Key Injured Players

Ryan Howard (1B, PHI)
Injury: Howard ruptured his left Achilles tendon on the last play of the Phillies 2011 season in the playoffs. After having surgery to re-attach the tendon a few weeks later, the Phillies projected he could return in late May.
Recovery: Howard was right on the mark in early March when he developed an infection where the tendon connected to the bone. While the infection was not a serious one, and it is not uncommon, it has cost him a good four weeks of recovery, pushing his return into at least late June.
2012 Outlook: The Phillies and Howard hope to get the green light for baseball related drills to resume soon. He should be able to avoid another setback setting his return late in June. If this hold true,...

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