Phillies' Howard suffered full Achilles' tear

PHILLIES general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. confirmed yesterday that first baseman Ryan Howard had a full tear of his left Achilles' tendon, after surgery was performed by Dr. Mark Myerson in Baltimore.

The surgery was described as successful and included a PRP injection.

"It's going to be 5 to 6 months from the surgery until he can play at his accustomed level," Amaro said in a statement released by the team. "A lot depends on how he recovers. The start of the season could be impacted, but I still hope he makes his first at-bat of the season."

Howard will be immobilized for up to 2 weeks. He could begin weight bearing and and strengthening exercises in approximately a month.

The Phillies have hired Joe Jordan as director of player development.

Jordan, who spent the last seven seasons (2005-11) as the Baltimore Orioles' director of amateur scouting, will oversee the Phillies' minor league system.

He replaces Chuck LaMar, who resigned. LaMar carried the title of assistant general manager, but Jordan will not.

Under Jordan's watch, the Orioles drafted outfielder Nolan Reimold (2005), catcher Matt Wieters (2007) and pitchers Zach Britton (2006) and Brian Matusz (2008).

Jordan's contract with the Orioles was set to expire in December. The status of the Orioles' front office is uncertain. Andy McPhail resigned as president of baseball operations.

The Phillies received permission to speak with Jordan earlier this week.

"We couldn't be happier to bring Joe aboard as our new player development director," said assistant general manager Benny Looper. "He is widely respected around the game and his resume speaks for itself."

Jordan worked with current Phillies assistant GM Scott Proefrock with the Orioles.

Prior to joining the Orioles, Jordan spent 8 years with the Montreal Expos and Florida Marlins. He began his career as an area scout with the Expos in 1997 before being named Midwest supervisor in 2001. He served as the national cross-checker in his final 2 years (2003-04) with the Marlins.

More from manager Charlie Manuel, who met with the media yesterday:

* On shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who is set to become a free agent: "Jimmy has had some injuries that definitely have cut into his running, and the fact that he was what I call, a top-profile basestealer. He was one of these guys who could get on first base, raise his hand and say, 'I'm going, throw me out.' I don't think he can do that anymore. When I watch him play defense, and Jimmy knows his hitting, he is capable of having a better year than he had this year."

* On John Mayberry Jr., whom Ruben Amaro said was a "top in-house" candidate to play leftfield with Raul Ibanez a free agent: "John Mayberry is going to get a chance to be a regular player. I think he will get to play more this coming season than he did this year . . . He proved that he can be a good big-league player. He will get every chance in the world to be a regular player."