Three weeks ago, the Philadelphia Phillies lost their first baseman Ryan Howard to the disabled list. He was sliding into second base on August 1 at Washington and sustained a left ankle sprain. He is now back and ready to play.

The Phillies activated All-Star Howard from the 15-day DL just before Saturday’s game against the Washington Nationals. He played Friday night for a rehab stint at which time he has a single walk, a single RBI and went 1-for-2. Apart from his rehab game Friday, he is currently batting an average of .292 with 23 home runs, 81 runs batted in, as well as 17 doubles in his 104 appearances this 2010 MLB season.

In order to make room on the Phillies active roster, Philadelphia placed outfielder Ross Gload on the disabled list with the move being retroactive to Thursday so he may be able to return at the beginning of September. Gload sustained an injury (strain) to his right groin on August 11 in the sixth inning against the Dodgers following a double-hit. Gload was a good weapon for the Phillies with the left-hander batting an average of .276 with 6 homers and 21 runs batted in.

For the Phillies, the activation of Howard is big news for the team. The Phillies are headed into a stretch run and they jam-packed ready to go with one of their best players although they have been doing fine without Howard. Heading into today’s game, the Philadelphia Phillies are only two and a half games behind the National League East division leaders, the Atlanta Braves.

For now, the official word hasn’t been made whether Howard will play in Saturday’s game against the Nationals. If Howard is able to appear in the Phillies lineup tonight, it will be the first time that the three-time All-Star first baseman will go up against the Nationals new “big man” Stephen Strasburg.

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