Amaro attempted to play damage control in response to two newspapers stories that ran on Sunday, claiming the team may have mishandled Howard's rehab in Florida twofold. One, by issuing him a cortisone shot, and two, by not allowing a reporter to watch the first baseman work out.
As many remember, Howard suffered a ruptured Achilles on the last play of the Phillies' season. He still hasn't played this year and is currently going through his rehab in the team's spring training facility in Florida.
But in the meeting with Philadelphia beat writers, Amaro defended barring a reporter from the Phillies' facility by saying the team wanted to give Howard privacy in his rehab. As for the shot, Amaro admitted it was administered for another issue.
The team's approach to Howard's situation reeks of sour grapes. While the Philadelphia Inquirer reported their stories, they reached out to the Phillies on multiple occasions for comment.
During each instance, the Phillies declined comment –– until Sunday, once the stories ran and damage control was necessary.
Whether or not spring training is in session, a major league team's spring training facilities are typically open to reporters. If the player in question were a role player, the Phillies likely wouldn't have scrambled as aggressively to bar the media from attending.
A standout slugger like Howard? Well, that's apparently a different story.
It's understandable to want to give a star player his privacy, especially after Howard's devastating setback. But if there isn't anything to hide –– as Amaro said –– then why did the team take such desperate measures to bar a reporter from the facility twice?
The Philadelphia Inquirer reporter agreed not to interview Howard, thus giving the slugger much of the freedom and privacy that the Phillies desired. Clearly, it wasn't enough for the organization.
The Phillies are entitled to make the rules, but it's very questionable to be secretive about a situation that's normally accessible.
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