Ruben Amaro says Phillies will not release Ryan Howard

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is batting only .156 this month, leading some to speculate that the team might release him. General manager Ruben Amaro said

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is batting only .156 this month, leading some to speculate that the team might release him. 

General manager Ruben Amaro said Friday, though, that the team has no such intentions. 

“That is not something we are contemplating,” Amaro said, via CSN Philly. “I don’t know where that’s coming from."

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Howard, 34, has two years remaining on the five-year, $125 million contract he signed in 2012. He is batting .224 this season, with 15 home runs and 60 RBIs. 

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The Phillies are in last place in the NL East and have the third-worst record in the National League. 

- Dan Gartland