By Spike Eskin

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – There is new news about Ryan Howard’s health, and it’s good news.

There was discussion over the last few days about whether what he suffered was a “setback” in his recovery from surgery to repair his torn Achilles. Charlie Manuel used the word when talking about the first baseman, while Ruben Amaro insisted it was not.

Scott Sheridan, head trainer for the Phillies, spoke today in Clearwater about the situation. Rickie Ricardo, Spanish language broadcaster for the team, spoke to 94 WIP’s Michael Barkann and Ike Reese about what Sheridan had to say.  “He continues to not, and I repeat not, call it a setback. He continues to say it’s not going to retard the time period, as far as his recovery,” Ricardo said.  “But there was some sort of infection found at the sutures, the inner sutures from the surgery were removed. The important thing is that the Achilles was not disturbed. The actual recovery process of the Achilles tendon was not compromised whatsoever. He’ll be put on antibiotic. He’ll have the anti-inflammatory medication as part of his next couple of weeks.  He’s expected back here sometime tomorrow.”

“Overall it was a positive report. Once again, the most important part is that it was not considered a setback,” Ricardo said.