Howard is day-to-day after recently experienced back spasms, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard is currently not throwing, putting his availability for Opening Day in question. The reliever appeared in 54 games with the Pirates in 2021, struggling to a 5.60 ERA and 1.47 WHIP over 45 innings while securing 12 holds and blowing his only save opportunity. One silver-lining to the season was that Howard produced an eye-popping 12.0 K/9, improving on a career-best 11.6 K/9 from the year prior.

Howard struck out three in a perfect inning in Friday's 8-6 loss to Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw did his job as the opener in Friday's bullpen game, mowing through the top of Philadelphia's order in just 12 pitches (nine strikes). Howard owns a 5.66 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 54:29 K:BB through 41.1 innings while logging 11 holds in 50 appearances. The 28-year-old is most likely to resume a low-leverage relief role going forward.

Howard will start a bullpen game for the Pirates on Friday against the Phillies, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard has not thrown multiple innings in any of his last four outings, and has not completed more than two frames across the entire season. Given that, he will likely be in for a very short outing. Miguel Yajure -- originally projected to start the game -- could serve as a bulk reliever after Howard's exit, though no official plans have been announced by the team.

Howard (2-4) allowed two runs on one hit and one walk in just a third of an inning as he took the loss against the Cubs on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Howard entered in the seventh with one out and a man on first and the Pirates clinging onto a one-run lead. He only stayed in to face the minimum of three batters and was pulled with the bases loaded and two outs. His replacement went on to allow a grand slam and two of those runs were charged to Howard. The 28-year-old has now allowed six runs (five earned) over 3.2 innings since returning from the injured list Aug. 28 and has lost twice during that span.

Howard (oblique) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Howard spent a month and a half on the 10-day injured list after he suffered a right oblique strain just before the All-Star break. However, he made four rehab appearances at Triple-A Indianapolis and allowed two hits and two walks while striking out six in 4.2 scoreless innings.

Howard (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard has missed over a month with a strained right oblique. It's unclear how many rehab appearances he'll need to make, but he doesn't need to build up a high pitch count as a reliever, so he could be back before too long.

Howard (oblique) threw a simulated game at PNC Park on Wednesday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard resumed mound work last week as he continues to work his way back from a right oblique strain, and he felt good after facing hitters Wednesday. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk didn't say how many simulated games the southpaw will participate in, but Howard's next step in his recovery will likely be a rehab assignment.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Howard (oblique) has started slope and mound progression as he works his way through a throwing program, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard incurred no setbacks with his right oblique strain while increasing his throwing distance off flat ground over the past couple weeks, so he'll take the next step forward in his rehab process. Once Howard completes a few higher-intensity bullpen sessions featuring his full arsenal, he'll then advance to facing hitters in live batting practice or simulated games before heading out on a rehab assignment. The lefty reliever appears unlikely to come off the 10-day injured list until the second half of August.

Howard (oblique) has increased his throwing distance to 90 feet, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard resumed playing catch last week, and he's been able to increase his volume and intensity since then. Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that he's hopeful that the southpaw will be able to increase his throwing distance to 120 feet by the end of the week.

Howard (oblique) recently resumed playing catch, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard has been on the 10-day injured list for just over a week due to a right oblique strain. A better timetable for the southpaw's return could be revealed once he's able to resume mound work, but it appears as though he could spend more than the minimum of 10 days on the IL.