By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies have an off day on Thursday and are back in action on Friday night against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Before Wednesday's game against Washington, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin told reporters that he plans to play Tommy Joseph regularly starting in September. Over the last 21 games, Joseph has started 11 and Ryan Howard started 12. While the 36-year-old Phillies veteran was very open to letting Joseph get the majority of reps upon his promotion in May, his mindset has changed with September being his final month with the team.
"You're talking about an evaluation process of where you've gotten to see players this year play. And you'll have another opportunity to see those same players play again next year and I won't be here," Howard said before Wednesday's game against the Nationals. "So, for me, I just want to play. I don't necessarily think it's right or fair, considering this is my last month here, but it is interesting." [Philly.com]
In 16 games during August, Howard showed promising signs, hitting .314 with six home runs and 15 RBIs. When asked about Howard's playing time again before Wednesday's game, Mackanin said that his comments didn't mean that Howard wouldn't play at all, but just not against every-right hander, so they can get a good look at Joseph, who is the likely starter at first come 2017. Howard wasn't a fan of how the news was relayed, with Mackanin telling the media about his decision before consulting with him.
"The manager shouldn't have to answer the question in the media. I think that's something that you talk to your players about. That's one thing. Having to answer that question as far as the evaluation process, for me it's tough. I'm not going to sit here and lie. I've got one more month here and I just want to play and finish out playing," Howard said. "So, it's like I'm just trying to do my time, finish out this last month, and try to keep playing somewhere else." [Philly.com]
As for Howard, he has never been a player to speak out much or talk badly about the Phillies, but at this point he is trying to get as many at-bats as possible so he can play next season with another team.
"[This] has been an ongoing process the last three years," Howard said. "They were doing the same thing with Ruffie. It has nothing to do with Tommy. It has nothing to do with Darin. It has everything to do with the process. I'm just trying to play and go somewhere else and play. I think there comes a time when there needs to be more dialogue and more of an understanding of, 'Why now?' Now, when you've got three weeks left in the season? Why now? I'm going out and hitting and playing better and all of sudden it's another wrinkle." [Philly.com]
In 94 games this season, Ryan Howard is hitting .195 with 20 home runs and 45 RBIs. Prior to August, his average sat at .175.
