Howard you/ ...

Ryan Howard seems to be making great strides in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon:

In full uniform for the first time since pitchers and catchers and most of the regulars started spring training, Howard stepped into the batter’s box around 10:40 a.m. He sprayed the ball to all areas of the outfield and even launched one shot over the right-field wall and another into the grassy berm in left-center field at Bright House Field.

It was an impressive display for a guy just four months removed from a serious surgery. A bigger test will likely come when he has to move laterally at first base and also when he runs the bases, but manager Charlie Manuel has said his All-Star first baseman is ahead of schedule, and now we have seen why he feels that way.

It will be a huge bonus to the Phillies if Howard misses minimal time this season due to the playoff injury.