General manager Matt Klentak says the Phillies have no plans to release Ryan Howard and are in no hurry to rush their top prospects through the system.
He also updated injures and discussed the two Phillies pitchers suspended for performance-enhancing drugs in a wide-ranging interview with reporters before Friday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
Howard entered Friday batting .148 and has been replaced at first base by Tommy Joseph. Klentak says it hasn't been a distraction having Howard around. This is the final year of Howard's five-year, $125 million extension, with a 10 million buyout for next year.