Phillies doctor to examine Howard's injured ankle

Ryan Howard won't be with the Phillies in Florida today. Instead, he'll be in Philadelphia, where he will have his sprained left ankle evaluated by team doctor Michael Ciccotti.

Howard, who suffered the injury in Washington on Sunday, when he landed awkwardly on second base after an RBI single by Ben Francisco in the first inning, left Nationals Park on crutches.

X-rays were negative, and manager Charlie Manuel was optimistic about a quick return after the game, but Howard's immediate future remains uncertain.

In 2008, shortstop Jimmy Rollins missed 3 weeks with a sprained ankle.

Howard made his only trip to the DL in 2007, when he missed 15 days with a strained quadriceps. Howard, who on Sunday was replaced at first base by Cody Ransom and later Ross Gload, said he hoped to miss "maybe a couple of days." *

- David Murphy