The Phillies announced Tuesday the first baseman will return to Philadelphia tomorrow for functional testing on his left Achilles.
If Howard passes testing, he will begin a rehabilitation assignment with single-A Lakewood on Thursday.
"If Ryan Howard starts his rehab assignment on Thursday in Lakewood NJ the Phillies 1B will be activated within 20 days barring a setback," Action News sports reporter Jeff Skversky tweeted Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile, Phillies also announced catcher Brian Schneider had an MRI today that revealed a high ankle sprain.
His expected recovery time is three to five weeks.
Schneider was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday after suffering the injury on Sunday against Tampa Bay.
