Ryan Howard Bombs for Phillies; Bartolo Colon Sharp in Comeback Bid

 Players of the Day for Friday, March 4, 2011

American League

Bartolo Colon

Bartolo Colon, attempting to make a comeback after a full year absence from baseball, worked three solid, scoreless innings in a tune-up against a former team, the Boston Red Sox. Though the Red Sox won the game by a 5-3 score, Colon appeared to have most pitches working, allowing two hits and no walks while fanning five batters.

Once one of baseball's most dominant pitchers, Colon has only started 48 games since 2005 and is a combined 14-21 over a span of four seasons. After going 3-6 with Boston in 2009, Colon worked in the Dominican Winter League in hopes of making it back to the majors. He was the AL Cy Young award winner in 2005, when he compiled a 21-8 record with the Anaheim Angels.

National League

Ryan Howard

Philadelphia improved to 4-3 in the Grapefruit League with a 7-4 win over Pittsburgh as slugger Ryan Howard went yard for the first time this Spring.

Howard broke a 2-2 tie with his solo shot in the 6th inning and singled home another run, going 2-for-3.

One of baseball's best power hitters, Howard had somewhat of a down year - for him - in 2010, hitting just 31 homera and driving in 108 runs. From 2006 to 2009, Howard averaged 49.5 home runs and 141 RBI.