Former MVP Ryan Howard hoping for MLB return: 'I'm still active'

Ryan Howard believes there's something left in the tank.

The 38-year-old hasn't appeared in a major-league game since 2016, but that hasn't stopped him from preparing for a potential return this season.

"I'm still active, so we'll see what happens," Howard said, according to TMZ Sports. "Right now, we're kinda in the belly of the beast."

Howard had spent his entire 13-year year career in Philadelphia, earning NL Rookie of the Year honors in 2005 and NL MVP honors in 2006. He was a three-time All-Star and hit 382 total home runs - the second most in franchise history.

Once considered one of the premier power hitters in baseball, it's been a rough last couple years for Howard. Since 2014, he's hit just .219/.286/.419 with 71 homers and 442 strikeouts in 394 games.

He wrapped up his five-year, $125-million contract with the Phillies in 2016, and went on to sign minor-league deals with both the Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies, failing to crack either MLB roster. He hit .189/.208/.367 with four homers and 28 strikeouts across 27 games in Triple-A last season.