Howard Feels 'Good,' Won't Set Return Date

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard told reporters Wednesday that he's not setting a date for his return, but he says he feels good.

Howard, who is recovering from a torn Achilles suffered on the final out of last year's National League Division Series, says he took live batting practice Wednesday for the first time since the injury.

The 32-year-old three-time All-Star, who has also been honored as rookie of the year and MVP of both the National League and the NLCS, also fielded some grounders on Tuesday and has been jogging.

Howard described himself as being about 40 percent healthy.

"I feel good where I am right now," Howard said. "I don’t know what everybody else's expectations for me were to be at this point, but I feel good – not exactly where I want to be yet but – you know, there's still a lot of strengthening that has to take place, and change of direction and working on those sort of things – but I feel all right."

He added, "I mean, obviously, the goal is to try and get out there as soon as possible. But, at the same time with this, I'm just listening to my body, and it will let me know when it's ready."

Howard played in 152 regular-season games last year, batting .253 with 33 homeruns, 116 RBIs, 75 walks and 172 strikeouts. But in the five postseason games he batted just 2 for 19, or .105, with 1 homerun, 6 RBIs, one walk and six strikeouts.

Even with the last two seasons ending with his outs, Howard said he would still want the season to come down to his bat again. He said the only thing he can do is move forward.

Howard kept reporters amused talking about how people would come up to him in stores and tell him about their Achilles injuries, and how while he was on the couch for two months during his offseason recovery he watched a lot of "Real Housewives."