CLEARWATER, Fla - Spring has sprung.

Or sprang.

Or, well, yes, this is a blog and we can make up words, so pick one.

Sure it's Valentine's Day but today is also the first day Phillies pitchers and catchers have to report to Brighthouse Networks Field in Clearwater. And they all have reported.

Ryan Howard, who I hope you all realize is neither a pitcher or a catcher, also made his first appearance in the clubhouse of the spring this morning. But the former MVP, who will likely go to an arbitration hearing with the team Wednesday to solve their salary dispute, wasn't talking to the media.

The Phillies have set that up for tomorrow at noon.

In case you forgot, Howard is asking for a $10 million salary this season; the Phillies have countered with $7 million. Where do you stand on the Howard situation?

Should the team up their one-year offer? Should they sign him to a long-term deal? Use the comments, let me - and everyone else on the world wide web - let us know what you think.

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Among the pitchers ready to roll out to their first workout this morning was veteran reliever Ryan Madson.

The 27-year old Madson hasn't pitched in a major league game since July 29. He was placed in the disabled list in late July with a right shoulder strain.

The injury forced him to miss the first Phillies postseason in 14 years.

"I didn’t taste it; I watched it, but I didn’t get my feet wet," Madson said of not participating in the playoffs. "So it makes me want to get in their and do it again last year."

Madson, who deemed himself 100 percent, is an important piece of the Phillies bullpen (then again, who isn't?). In 56 innings, Madson was 2-2 with a 3.05 ERA in 38 games before landing on the disabled list.