Howell has allowed five runs in his last four innings after allowing just one in his first 30 this year.

His 1.59 ERA remains excellent, but a 0.30 ERA obviously wasn't sustainable. Just a minor correction most likely.

Howell has allowed just one run in 25.2 innings this year.

He's surprisingly recorded just five holds, but Howell has certainly been a bright spot. He'll continue to pitch in the late innings, but save opportunities will be scarce.

Howell (biceps) pitched to one batter in Wednesday's loss to the Rockies.

Howell was struck on the arm by a line drive the day before, but that did not end up costing him any time. Consider Howell, who owns a 0.64 ERA but a 1.43 WHIP over 20 appearances, available out of the bullpen moving forward.

Howell was hit by a line drive during his appearance in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader and had a pretty sizable welt on his right biceps after the game, the Associated Press reports.

Howell was in good spirits after the game because the line drive missed his head, but it remains to be seen if he will be available for the second half of Tuesday's doubleheader or for Wednesday's game. Even if he is unavailable for a couple days, it seems to be a pretty minor injury.

Howell has a 0.93 ERA in 9.2 innings so far this season, though in his last eight games (5.2 inning), he's managed just one strikeout.

Howell has just three holds and a 1.45 WHIP, so his value is minimal outside of very deep leagues that count holds.

Howell has shown some improvement lately with a pair of hitless outings after opening the season allowing seven baserunners in 2.1 innings.

With a 1.75 WHIP, Howell is fortunate to be sitting with a 2.25 ERA, but he should be a candidate for plenty of holds going forward.

Howell allowed three runs in two-thirds on an inning on Tuesday, though there have been no reports that his groin is still bothering him.

Howell now has a 16.87 ERA in four spring appearances. He would seem to be a lock for the Opening Day roster given his $4 million salary, but the Dodgers have already shown they are comfortable eating salary of non-performing players. Either way, Howell looks to be a long shot to accrue saves in Kenley Jansen's (foot) absence.

Howell (groin) is expected to pitch in a spring training game Saturday, Eric Stepen of True Blue LA reports.

Howell has been working his way back from left-groin tightness, and it appear he's finally ready to take the mound. Assuming all goes well, he should be fine for Opening Day with the potential to receive some saves early in the season with Kenly Jansen (foot) sidelined.

Howell skipped his bullpen session Sunday and will be shut down for a couple days as a precautionary measure after developing mild left-groin tightness, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

He noticed the issue after pitching an inning in Friday's exhibition and said the discomfort is typical after his first game appearance of the season. Look for him to return to throwing bullpen sessions later this week and return to Cactus League action by the weekend. With Kenley Jansen out until May, Howell could find himself in some closing situations in April if he enters the season fully healthy.

Howell could see save opportunities early in the season while Kenley Jansen (foot) is sidelined, Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reports.

If we had to guess, Howell and Joel Peralta would share duties if the seaon started today. Of course the Dodgers could also elect to sign Francisco Rodriguez or Rafael Soriano to add depth, but bump up Howell's value slightly in deeper leagues.

Dodgers re-signed LHP J.P. Howell to a two-year, $11 million contract.

The deal also includes a $6.25 million club option for 2016 with a $250,000 buyout. Howell put up a 2.03 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 62 innings this past season for Los Angeles. He'll be used as the club's primary left-handed setup man again.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Dodgers have reached a two-year deal with J.P. Howell.

It will carry $11.25 million in guaranteed money and also includes a $6.25 million vesting option for 2016. Howell drew interest from a range of teams, but the Dodgers outbid them all to bring him back. The veteran left-hander posted a dominant 2.03 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 62 innings this past season for Los Angeles.

Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports that the Dodgers are closing in on a multi-year contract with J.P. Howell.

The financials of the deal are not yet known, but he figures to get something similar to Boone Logan's three-year, $16.5 million deal. Howell had a number of suitors, but he returns to where he thrived last season. The veteran reliever posted a 2.03 ERA with 54 strikeouts over 62 innings for the Dodgers in 2013.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Rockies have made "real progress" in contract talks with reliever J.P. Howell.

Howell, 30, had a 2.03 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 62 innings this past season while holding left-handed batters to a .164/.225/.227 bating line. The Dodgers reportedly have interest in bringing him back.

J.P. Howell and the Dodgers continue to discuss a possible return, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.

Howell was fantastic in his one season with the club, posting a 2.03 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 62 innings this past season. The 30-year-old was especially tough on lefties, allowing just a .164/.225/.227 line. He fits what the Dodgers are looking for, as they're still shopping for a late-game lefty reliever.

J.P. Howell has dropped the appeal of his two-game suspension.

Howell will be eligible to return Monday. He was one of four players to receive a multi-game suspension for his role during Tuesday's brawl with the Diamondbacks.

Major League Baseball has suspended J.P. Howell for two games for his role during Tuesday's brawl with the Diamondbacks.

Howell was more involved than most during the fracas, so he was one of four to receive a multi-game suspension. He's likely to appeal.

J.P. Howell's first season in Los Angeles is off to a strong start, as the left-hander has a 2.89 ERA through 19 appearances for the Dodgers.

Coming off a stellar 2012 campaign, having posted a 3.04 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 42/22 K/BB ratio in 55 appearances for the Rays, Howell inked a one-year, $2.85 million contract with the Dodgers. Howell is allowing a few more base runners this season (1.34 WHIP compared to 1.21 in 2012), but his strikeout rate is slightly up and, more importantly, he hasn't surrendered a home run yet.

Dodgers signed LHP J.P. Howell to a one-year, $2.85 million contract.

He can also earn an additional $1.2 million in performance-based incentives, so the deal could wind up being worth a bit over $4 million. Howell is coming off a nice 2012 campaign, having posted a 3.04 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 42/22 K/BB ratio in 55 appearances for the Rays.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Dodgers and J.P. Howell have reached an agreement on a one-year, $3 million contract.

The deal also includes performance based incentives. It's a terrific addition to the backend of the Dodgers bullpen. It's a tough blow for the Nationals, who were said to be the top suitor of Howell and will now be forced to settle for a much weaker left-handed reliever on the free agent market.