Phillies Notebook: Howard update, Phils beat FSU

Did Ryan Howard suffer a setback?

The Phillies aren’t ones to use that phrase, but the team did say that the injured first baseman would miss a few days. Foot and ankle specialist Mark Myerson performed a procedure Monday to clean an infection caused by a bad suture.

“I don’t prefer to use that word [setback],” head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan told reporters yesterday. “I know that’s what everybody wants to use. We had never established a particular timeframe for him [to return.”

Sheridan noted the fact that the Achilles tendon is in good shape. That is what the Phils were really worried about. Now, it’s just a matter of treating the infection and letting it heal.

“The Achilles tendon is intact and not compromised,” Sheridan said. “He’s going to be inactive for a few days.”

Other than that, Sheridan wouldn’t put an exact timetable on Howard’s rehab.

“We’ll keep on treating him here,” Sheridan said.

PHILS BEAT FLORIDA STATE. The team won their spring training debut, courtesy of a 6-1 victory over Florida State. Austin Hyatt, 25, drew the start and tossed two perfect innings. The only regular who did anything of note was Hunter Pence, who stroked a double. The offense came from Tyson Gillies (1-for-2 with two runs scored) and Hector Luna (1-for-1 with a two-run homer). Jim Thome didn’t start, but saw two at-bats (he struck out and walked). Reliever J.C. Ramirez pitched one scoreless inning and picked up the win.