Let the betting begin.
Ryan Howard is officially boot-free as of today, meaning that his rehab from his exploded Achilles can finally get back on track. There’s still no word on any possible return date, so try not to get too excited. With Chase Utley out for however long and the Phillies looking incredibly thin in the infield, the sooner he returns (at 100%), the better off this team will be.
I know, I know. I just stated something blindingly obvious.
I think this team will still be fine despite missing the right side of their infield and the rest of the NL East (Mets excluded, obviously) getting better. They’ve fought through things like this in recent years, though it’s fair to say they haven’t been missing pieces this big for such extended periods of time.
One more injury, though, especially one to the vaunted trio of starters at the front end of the rotation, and I might have to reconsider that stance.