Posted: Sunday, May 22, 2011, 9:45 AM | 30 comments |
 

Chase Utley has left the building
options
 

It looks like Chase Utley has played his last game for Clearwater, at least for the time being. According to several people down in Florida, including Phillies' prospect Jiwan James, Utley packed up his things last night in order to fly back to Philadelphia.

A Monday return to the active roster appears to be a strong possibility.

Once Utley is activated, the Phillies will have a roster decision to make. For the first two months of the season, they have carried utility men Pete Orr, Wilson Valdez and Michael Martinez, all of whom have gotten playing time at second base. Orr and Martinez have played more than Valdez lately.

Logic suggests that the Phillies will decide to part with one of the three. If they are determined to retain control of all three, they could send Orr down to the minors, since he has options remaining. Valdez would have to be exposed to waivers. And Martinez is a Rule 5 pick, meaning the Phillies would have to offer him back to Washington if they remove him from the active roster.

Optioning Orr would probably make the most sense at this point, since he is a left-handed bat and Utley is a left-handed bat.

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Posted by David Murphy @ 9:45 AM  Permalink | 30 comments
30
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:57 AM, 05/22/2011
    but if they option Orr, what would happen to @peteorrfacts?
    — phillygirl17
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:57 AM, 05/22/2011
    We don't need orr.pinch hit chase 2day if he's ready.keep valdez!
    — frantz23
  • 1 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:19 AM, 05/22/2011
    Pinch hit Utley in today's game!!!!!!!!!!!!
    — shawnmac
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:20 AM, 05/22/2011
    Martinez good chance will clear waivers Nats may not want him back. Lee outstanding. Madson 9 for 9 saves. Less negetivity but still need bats. When I quesioned negative comments a while back some genius accused me of getting info from N.Y. post. Always felt good fan stays with team win or loose. Still they have the right to vent. Madson perfect 9 for 9. If he doubles that to 18 Negadelphians will come out.
    — Don w
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:34 AM, 05/22/2011
    I never thought I Would say that Monday can't come soon enough. Go Chase!
    — littleman163
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:22 AM, 05/22/2011
    Everybody cross your fingers with Chase. Obviously, keep Valdez. I don't think Martinez has shown anything, Rule 5 or not. Phillies cannot afford to carry dead weight on the bench.
    — ijj
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:25 AM, 05/22/2011
    Who would care if Martinez is picked up by the Nationals? This guy is triple A talent at best.
    — arrowamy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:26 AM, 05/22/2011
    Maybe Utley has stopped with the steroids? Since the steroid scandel hit a few years ago Utley hasnt been dominant on the field, and is frequently hurt.....
    — Bobphxville
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:29 AM, 05/22/2011
    Orr to the Pigs.
    — EL Zorro
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:32 AM, 05/22/2011
    So you rather keep Orr, who can only play 2b and maybe 3b in an emergency than a SH, who can play multiple positions, including CF and SS, to positions with no great depth in the organization? You guys are so brilliant.
    — EL Zorro
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:33 AM, 05/22/2011
    two positions
    — EL Zorro
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:40 AM, 05/22/2011
    Trade one of them for Nolan Reimold.
    — UncleEddie
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:49 AM, 05/22/2011
    ship martinez he's 28 years old, will be 29 in september....what is he gonna all of the sudden show something and be a player in this league?
    — MPatt24
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:52 AM, 05/22/2011
    Martinez is a bust. Good try, but they can give him back.
    — Ron


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About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times. E-mail Dave at dmurphy@phillynews.com.

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