Chase Utley has left the building
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Chase Utley has left the building
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
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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but if they option Orr, what would happen to @peteorrfacts?
— phillygirl17- We don't need orr.pinch hit chase 2day if he's ready.keep valdez! — frantz23
- Pinch hit Utley in today's game!!!!!!!!!!!!— shawnmac
- 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
- I never thought I Would say that Monday can't come soon enough. Go Chase!— littleman163
Comment removed.- 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
- Who would care if Martinez is picked up by the Nationals? This guy is triple A talent at best.— arrowamy
- 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
- Orr to the Pigs.— EL Zorro
- 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
- two positions— EL Zorro
- Trade one of them for Nolan Reimold.— UncleEddie
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- Martinez is a bust. Good try, but they can give him back.— Ron
