Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. spoke with members of the media during the series finale of the Phils' series with the Red Sox to address a pair of articles.
Both articles were featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer, and both had to do with the ongoing rehab that Howard is undergoing for a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the Phillies' final game of the 2011 playoffs. The paper reportedly speculated that a cortisone injection that Howard received on Sept. 18 of last season may have contributed to the Achilles tear. There was also a story detailing the Phillies' efforts to keep a reporter out of the Phillies' spring complex in Florida, where Howard is doing his rehab.
"As far as the cortisone shot, Ryan was treated for something — an issue, a bursitis issue — not a part of the Achilles," Amaro said Sunday, according to the Phillies website. "When that was treated, that was treated by a world-renown specialist [orthopedic surgeon Mark Myerson] to do that, and it was done with an ultrasound, and was ultrasound-guided.
"We didn't feel there was any issue," he continued. "In fact, [team physician Dr. Michael] Ciccotti and I discussed this because we knew about some of the issues that surround using cortisone in that area — the Achilles. So we were very comfortable and just wanted to make sure that was clear."
The second story detailed a reporter's attempt to get into Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater, Fla., where Howard is rehabbing. Security, as well as a minor league instructor, tried to have the Inquirer reporter removed from the stadium.
"[Howard] has an injury that requires a certain level of stretching to get back, and he hasn't gotten to the point in his rehab where we feel comfortable with him being out there for everyone," Amaro said. "When its time for him to be seen, he'll be seen.
"We're not trying to hide things. That's not our job. Our job is to have the best interest of the player in mind, and we want to make sure he gets ready at his own pace. And when you have people getting involved in a rehab such as this, it can, in fact, affect the player. And when it comes to a guy like this, or any rehab, we want to make sure he gets back at the proper pace."
Amaro also went out of his way to ensure that the Phillies have the best interests of Howard in mind at all times.
