Former Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospect To Be Activated By Rangers

Spencer Howard, the Phillies' former second-round pick, will be on the Texas Rangers' active roster against St. Louis.

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Former Philadelphia Phillies top prospect Spencer Howard is expected to be activated by the Texas Rangers in time for their series opener with the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

Howard has been working his way back from a right lat strain that he suffered in Spring Training with the Rangers. The Rangers put him on their 60-day injured list in April and then sent him to Triple-A Round Rock at the end of May to start a rehab assignment.

While with Round Rock he made two appearances, went 3.2 innings and didn’t give up a run. He didn’t allow a hit, struck out seven and walked one.

The Rangers are expected to send pitcher Jonathan Hernández down to the minors to make room.

The Phillies selected Howard in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft after he had a standout career at Cal Poly. While working his way through the Phillies’ system, he threw the first no-hitter in Class-A Lakewood BlueClaws history.

He made his MLB debut with the Phillies during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, during which went 1-2 with a 5.92 ERA. He made 11 starts with the Phillies in 2021, going 0-2 with a 5.72 ERA before he was traded to the Rangers in a deal that netted the Phillies several players, including starter Kyle Gibson, who helped Philadelphia reach the World Series last season.

With the Rangers, Howard has battled injuries. In 2021 he went 0-3 in eight starts with Texas, finishing with a 9.70 ERA.

Howard made the Rangers’ Opening Day roster last season but only made eight starts and pitched in 10 games total, going 2-4 with a 7.41 ERA.