No word on Howard's visit to surgeon

By Bob Brookover, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: February 28, 2012

CLEARWATER, Fla. - No news was the only news Tuesday on Ryan Howard's visit to Baltimore-based foot surgeon Mark Myerson.

The Phillies first baseman left camp Monday for a follow-up visit during which Myerson was also going to examine what team trainer Scott Sheridan described as an "open wound" near Howard's surgically repaired left Achilles tendon.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. described Howard's condition as seroma – a pocket of clear fluid that sometimes develops in an area after surgery – and Sheridan said it is not uncommon. The trainer also said Myerson is expected to map out the next steps in Howard's rehab after his examination.

While there was no news on Howard, we will get a first glance at a few of manager Charlie Manuel's options to replace the first baseman during the early part of the season. Manuel said John Mayberry Jr. will get the first crack at playing first base when the Phillies play an exhibition game Wednesday against Florida State University.

Ty Wigginton and Jim Thome are also expected to see some time at first base once the season begins. Wigginton, however, will start at third base Wednesday while Thome will likely get one at-bat as a pinch-hitter.

Manuel's full lineup for the Florida State game: Jimmy Rollins, SS; Juan Pierre, DH; Shane Victorino, CF; Hunter Pence, RF; Wigginton, 3B; Domonic Brown, LF; Mayberry, 1B; Michael Martinez, 2B, and Tuffy Gosewisch, C.

Contact staff writer Bob Brookover at bbrookover@phillynews.com or @brookob on Twitter.

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