6 Ryan Howard, 1B

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard did not seem at all slowed Tuesday by soreness in his left knee that cost him the previous two games. Howard had just his fourth multi-RBI game in the month of May, to lead the Phillies to an easy, 7-3, win.

Howard went 3 for 5 with three runs driven in, before being replaced for a pinch hitter after his third single in the eighth inning.  

The cortisone injection Howard had in the knee appears to have helped, and he should be able to play through any lingering issue. He is batting .256 on the season, with 25 RBI. 

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was back in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Marlins, after missing the team's previous two games with left knee soreness.

Howard had a cortisone injection in the knee and hopes that he will be able to play through any lingering issues moving forward. 

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard rejoined the starting lineup Tuesday at Miami after missing two games with a knee injury. Howard enters play Tuesday mired in a 4-for-34 slump in his last nine games (eight starts).

"I guess if I blow out we’ll worry about that then," Howard said, per The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. expressed optimism Tuesday first baseman Ryan Howard isn't dealing with a major knee injury, despite it being the same leg he suffered a torn Achilles tendon.

"I think we have to be concerned any time our guys have any issues, but I don’t think it’s something that is so daunting that we’re panicking about it," Amaro told The Philadelphia Inquirer. "It’s something we have to be aware of and make sure he does his proper rehab to address it and make sure he’s OK. If there is a meniscus issue, it is repairable and there are some things he can do that can help alleviate some of the stuff he had."

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was unavailable for Monday's game against the Marlins after having a cortisone injection in his left knee Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Howard is said to be day to day, though they are hopeful he'll be able to avoid the disabled list.

Howard underwent an MRI Monday and head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan said Howard had symptoms in his knee for a few weeks. Howard said the knee began bothering him more recently.

There is some speculation that his knee injury and the Achilles injury he suffered in Game 5 of the 2011 National League Division Series could be related.

“That’s the million dollar question right there,” Sheridan said. “For me, it’s like the old song: the foot bone is connected to the knee bone … to me the closed chain of the ankle relate to the knee, relate to the hip. They all play apart. So that’s a reasonable question. Whether that’s what’s happened, we don’t know.”