Howard displays disappointment

Ryan Howard is treating a spring training slump like a playoff collapse.

The reigning NL MVP clearly showed his frustration Sunday before snapping an 0 for 17 skid with a single in the fifth inning of Philadelphia’s 10-2 win over Minnesota.

Howard uncharacteristically snapped at a writer before the game and didn’t hide his dejection after striking out in the third inning. He’s batting just .231 (12 for 52) with two homers and nine RBIs after hitting .313 with 58 homers and 149 RBIs in perhaps the best season ever for a second-year player.

Always accessible and friendly with the media, Howard turned away a reporter before the game, loudly proclaimed it was “Ryan Howard Day” and said he would resume doing interviews on Monday.

Howard broke his bat on a groundout to second in the first inning and went down swinging in the third. It was his 18th strikeout this spring, a higher pace than last season when he fanned 181 times in 581 at-bats.

Nationals release Lee

Travis Lee asked for and was granted his unconditional release by the Washington Nationals, making Dmitri Young the starting first baseman as the club made progress on settling its 25-man roster.

The Nationals also sent right-hander Tim Redding outright to Triple-A Columbus, which solidifies Jerome Williams’ spot in the rotation.

Kuo will rest shoulder

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo, out of contention for the fifth spot in the rotation due to a sore shoulder, will go through two to three weeks of rehabilitation before throwing.

The left-hander first felt pain after throwing 2 1/3 innings against Boston on March 16.

Mariners outlast Athletics

Seattle defeated Oakland 10-6 in 10 innings Sunday at Phoenix.

Raul Ibanez hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning for the Mariners.

Mariners lefty Arthur Rhodes pitched for the first time since March 16 after recovering from a sore elbow, going one inning with one hit and a strikeout.