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Phillies' Ryan Howard to return from DL tonight

As expected, after a short stint in Triple A, Ryan Howard is set to return to the Philadelphia Phillies lineup.

[tweet https://twitter.com/MLB/status/221311589297569793]

Howard, the 2006 NL MVP, has not played during the 2012 season. He hit .471 (8-for-17) in the minors.

In the final play of the 2011 NLDS against the Cardinals, Howard tore his Achilles running out a ground ball. The off-season surgery caused him to miss the start of the season.

The Phillies currently sit in last place in the NL East at 37-47. They are 13 games out of first place in the division they have won each of the past five years.

Howard comes back despite the All-Star break looming. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Thursday it would be advantageous for the first baseman to come back and play the series against Atlanta before the break.

"If he plays this weekend (for the Phillies), it may not be the worst thing for him to get some time off. You just don't know how he'll react and what kind of adrenaline there will be. We'll take it one day at a time with him."