Manager Pete Mackanin said "it doesn't look good" for Howard (knee) to play again this season, the Phillies' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard was trending toward returning to the lineup in recent days, but showed up sick Wednesday. Mackanin said he will see if Howard wants to play in any of the Phillies' four remaining games. The Phils don't face a right handed pitcher until Saturday, so Howard may not return until then, if he plays at all again this season.

Howard (knee) was available to pinch hit Tuesday and could return to the lineup Wednesday, CSN Philadelphia reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard has not played since Sept. 24 when he took a throw off his left knee while playing first base. The knee had to be drained after swelling up. Darin Ruf has been filling in at first base with Howard sidelined.

Howard (knee) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets, according to Stephen Gross of The Morning Call.

EDGE Analysis

The Phillies were hoping that Howard would be able to return to action Tuesday, but he remains sidelined with his knee injury. Darin Ruf will get the start at first base Tuesday.

Howard (knee) is expected to return to the Phillies' lineup as early as Tuesday against the Mets, MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports.

EDGE Analysis

A bruised left knee has sidelined Howard for nearly two weeks, but he's demonstrated progress in recent days. He resumed taking batting practice Friday and appears fit to take the field as well, putting him on tap to see action in the final week of the regular season.

Howard (knee) took batting practice Friday, Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's the first time that Howard swung in batting practice since being sidelined with a knee injury on Sept. 14. The 35-year-old is still hoping to return before the end of the season, but there's still no clear timetable. Darin Ruf figures to continue filling in at first base in his absence.

Howard (knee) is expected to resume hitting and fielding ground balls this weekend, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard has been sidelined since Sept. 14 with a knee injury. He is making an attempt to return, but the Phillies won't push him to do so with nothing to play for this season. Darin Ruf will continue to see playing time at first for as long as Howard remains sidelined.

Howard has a cyst in the back of his knee that has flared up, Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

It doesn't sound like the Phillies will formally shut Howard down -- they're paying him too much money to close to door on him returning this season -- but the first baseman is considered unlikely to play again in 2015. The 35-year-old had his knee drained last week and has not taken batting practice since. Darin Ruf continues to fill in at first base.

Howard (knee) is unlikely to return this season, Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard has been out since Sept. 14 after he was struck by a line drive while playing in the field. He eventually had to go to the emergency room to get his knee drained, but was optimistic he could return to the lineup sometime the following week. That optimism has clearly faded as Howard has still not taken batting practice since the injury, prompting Lawrence to believe Howard's season is likely over.

Howard (knee) will be reevaluated Tuesday, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Phillies have a day off Monday. If Howard does not begin taking batting practice this week the Phillies could decide to shut him down for the rest of the season. He has been sidelined since last Monday after taking a ball off his knee while playing in the field.

Howard (knee) is out of the Phillies' lineup Sunday against the Braves, Ryan Lawrence of Philadelphia Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard will now skip his fifth straight game due to the knee issue, and though he was expected to be available as a pinch hitter over the weekend, he hasn't been used in that role. Darin Ruf will start at first base in his place, batting sixth for the Phillies.