The Phillies will be missing a "Big Piece" of their team for at least a couple weeks.
Ryan Howard was sent to the disabled list with a "moderate left ankle sprain," the team said Tuesday.
"It's part of the game I guess," he told NBC Philadelphia's John Clark as he hobbled out of Philadelphia International Airport earlier in the day.
"There's pain, there's swelling," he said.
He was hoping to just be out for seven to ten days but after being examined by team doctor Michael Ciccotti he was ruled out for longer.
"Right now let's just find out what's going on and move forward," he said before learning his fate.
The All-Star first baseman saw Ciccotti while the second-place Phillies were in Florida for a three-game series with the Marlins. The power hitter traveled with the Phightins to Miami but he wound up returning to Philly Tuesday to have his injured ankle looked at.
Howard hurt his left ankle scrambling back to second base during Sunday's game at Washington -- the ankle appear to severely roll on replays. He left the ballpark on crutches, but was optimistic that he wouldn't go on the disabled list after X-rays were negative.
Howard, the 2006 NL MVP, is hitting .292 with 23 home runs and 81 RBI.
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He is the 15th different Phillie to land on the DL this season. The Phillies already were missing All-Star second baseman Chase Utley and center fielder Shane Victorino because of injuries.
Outfielder John Mayberry Jr. was called up from Triple-a Lehigh Valley to take Howard's roster spot. Expect pinch-hitting specialist Ross Gload to see plenty of action at first base in Howard's absence.
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