Howard announced his retirement from baseball Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

It's something of a surprise that this hadn't already happened, as the 38-year-old hasn't played in the majors since 2016 and hasn't played at any level this year. The Phillies may have wished he retired after the 2011 season, as he posted a 93 wRC+ over the last five years of his career while making $125 million. The first baseman's steep decline and big contract shouldn't overshadow the success he had in the first half of his career, however, as he was a Rookie of the Year, MVP and World Series champion. He'll end his career with 1475 hits and 382 homers, tied for 67th all time in the latter category.

Howard has reported to Triple-A Albuquerque and will be available for Saturday's game.

EDGE Analysis

After inking a minor league deal with the Rockies' organization earlier Saturday, Howard has already reported to Triple-A and will be in uniform Saturday. He'll need to show more at the dish than he did earlier in the season at Triple-A Gwinnett when he slashed just .184/.238/.263 in order to get consideration for a call-up to the Rockies later in the season.

Howard agreed to terms on a minor league deal with the Rockies on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran slugger has been a free agent since being released by the Braves in May. Howard slashed a mere .184/.238/.263 in 11 minor league games in the Braves organization prior to his release and he hit just .196 in 112 games with the Phillies last season. He won't be on the 40-man roster to start, but if Howard starts getting back on track, there's a possibility of him joining the Rockies as a left-handed power bat off the bench in September.

Howard was released from his contract with the Braves on Monday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard mustered just a .184 batting average and struck out 11 times in as many games for Gwinnett. Even if Howard still has the power -- and he wasn't showing it for the Braves, as he managed just one home run -- it's obvious that his bat speed is just too slow for him to be a productive major league player now at age 37.

Howard is expected to make his season debut for Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard, who agreed to a minor league deal with the Braves earlier this month, has been prepping for the season in extended spring training. The 37-year-old certainly isn't the dynamic slugger he once was, but has shown he still has pop against right-handers, mashing 24 home runs against them last season. Howard likely serves as organizational depth, but could serve as an interesting call-up for interleague games or as a heavy hitter off the bench.

The Braves signed Howard to a minor-league deal Thursday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. Howard will participate in extended spring training before reporting to Triple-A Gwinnett.

EDGE Analysis

With Freddie Freeman locked in as a franchise player at first base, Howard didn't exactly join a spot that puts him on the fast track to the bigs. Still, Atlanta could have worse organizational depth pieces than someone who hit 23-plus home runs in the previous three seasons. The 2006 National League MVP must wait for an opportunity, though perhaps he'll become trade bait as a potential DH for an American League club later in the season.

The Phillies announced Thursday that they have declined the 2017 team option on Howard's contract, MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports, and he is now a free agent.

EDGE Analysis

Howard hit 25 home runs in 2016 for the seventh time in his career, but he also hit just .196 and would have been due $23 million had the Phillies picked up his option, so there was not much of a decision for them to make. Howard has not announced any intention to hang up the cleats, so he will likely look for a job elsewhere. At this stage of his career, however, he is likely looking at a reserve job wherever he lands.

Howard went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran slugger took Bartolo Colon deep in the fifth for his 25th bomb of the season, the third consecutive year in which he's eclipsed the 20-homer mark. Howard has hit safely in three of his last four games, giving him a chance to finish the season above the Mendoza Line if he's in the lineup Sunday for the final contest of 2016.

Howard will not be in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Braves, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard started five of the last six games at first base and is expected to start all three of the Phillies' final three games this season, so manager Pete Mackanin decided to give him a day to rest Thursday. Tommy Joseph will man first base for the Phillies in Howard's place.

Howard went 2-for-3 with a walk, a solo homer and four RBI in Tuesday's game against the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran has had a season to forget in what may be the final campaign of a great career. However, despite Howard's career-worst .196 batting average, he's now managed to hit 24 homers in 2016, the most he's hammered in a campaign since 2011. Furthermore, the first baseman's 56 RBI total in second-most over his last five seasons (in fairness, he only played half a season in 2012 and 2013 due to injury). Howard's disappointing season can mainly be attributed to his abysmal first-half performance, as he's been significantly better-- and even fantasy-relevant -- since the break.