Expect Utley back sooner rather than later
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Expect Utley back sooner rather than later
Paul Hagen
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Chase Utley won't be playing Wednesday for the Clearwater Threshers. That much the Phillies will say. It would be his third straight game and it starts at 10:30 a.m.
They won't say much more about his timetable, but here’s the supposition, though: Utley, the Phillies All-Star second baseman, could be back in time to play the next time the Phillies are at home, a week from today against the Colorado Rockies.
Make no mistake. The pace of Utley’s rehab from the patellar knee tendinitis that has sidelined him all year is quickening. Last night he played in his first official rehab game, which starts the 20-day clock to the time when he must be activated. It was also the first time he’s played back-to-back days.
Counting a pair of extended rehab games, he now has 18 at bats. While manager Charlie Manuel has said that he likes hitters to have around 75 plate appearances in spring training, he’s also said he thinks Utley is good enough to possibly get by with about half that number.
Even accounting for an occasional day off, he could easily get to 40 or more in a week. And, don’t forget, even while his activities were limited, he was still taking batting practice.
If he doesn’t have a setback with his knee and if he feels like he’s seeing the ball well enough to compete against big league pitching, he could be back sooner rather than later.
Utley went 1-for-4 tonight against the Palm Beach Cardinals at Bright House Field. Afterward he was typically coy when asked if he was thinking more about making sure his knee was healthy or was focusing on sharpening his batting eye. But he was clearly upbeat.
“A little bit of both,” he said. “Obviously, getting at bats is important. And obviously at the same time I’m testing my legs. The whole goal is just to feel comfortable in the batter’s box. And to do that is just seeing pitches, having good at bats and trying to go from there.
“I’ve had a few at bats where I felt comfortable and a few I haven’t. That’s probably pretty standard at this point.”
He also said his knee felt great and he’s happy with his progress so far. Manager Charlie Manuel is clearly anxious to have him back in the lineup. It wouldn’t be a shock to see him return sooner rather than later.
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Well after seeing the drivel the offense put out tonight (cough, bases loaded with ZERO outs, cough), we can't get a healthy (repeat, HEALTHY) Utley back soon enough. I just really hope he's not pulling a tough guy routine and hiding any pain.— evolutionary- This is a mistake. I don't care what the team says to the media, this process seems rushed. It is still May for crying out loud. Much can go wrong from a return this soon. We need him healthy in September and October, not in May and June. Coming back now is just asking for trouble when it will count the most. Fortunately, this team has racked up enough wins to cushion themselves for some time. All the more reason to delay his return.— UncleEddie
- One thing that's hard to simulate is runners sliding into second and going after Utley's knee. Hope Phils don't rush him so as to cause a relapse.— Claudio Vernight
- it's better to go full throttle now and see how it is. it's either going to give out sooner and the team can move on and plan trades which is better to find out now, or worst case he plays through it, and he fizzles down the stretch like he did before because he wouldn't come out or admit injury was bugging him, and then the phils are stuck without him, or his real productivity. and can't make a trade after the deadline. it's time to see if the spaghetti sticks to the wall, before it becomes a mess that can't be fixed.— Evilvet
- what i'm really saying is, this sounds a lot like chris pronger's season. we don't wanna find out how bad in the playoffs and make a quick exit.— Evilvet
- Yeah right. "usually Charlie likes players to get 70 at bats but he thinks Chase is good enough to need only half that". Translation......... Pete Orr and Wilson Valdez really stink.— Sewellmatt
- @Sewellmatt
Sure, but alternately, you could read that as, "Chase Utley is one of the best hitters in franchise history and doesn't need the same number of ABs to get comfortable in the batter's box."— Mike P - Not sure if this is a good idea...We need him fresh for the fall...I guess it all depends on how his knee feels...I just think I woiuld rather have him closer to 100 percent in the fall, rather than 80 percent.— PhilliefaninAZ
- Utley is 33, not 83. He can come back when he feels ready, only he can be honest with his body. The guy is turning injury-prone, but the Phillies need to get some guys on the DL to play. There's too many of them on the DL.— road515
- Lets air on the side of caution, which to me means, releasing Baez NOW— NewMick314
- "air"??? — SmarterThanYouAre
- Unfortunately, most people write the way they speak, which equals poor grammar and incorrect usage of words. — Chewey
- Eddie, he's pretty much got a joint/bone condition. It ain't gonna get any better...All he can do is control flare-ups somewhat now...Sitting around isn't going to help.— MFPhils
- Let's put this squarely in the "great news" category, OK? There's no reason to slow Chase's return down if he's feeling healthy. He's a pro ballplayer, a top-shelf one. If he feels good and can contribute, he'll badly want to be here, helping us win and, yes, building his career numbers. You can't do either one Class A rehab games. There's also no way he gives less than 100% in every facet. You can't play Major League ball, face guys like Lincecum and Josh Johnson, and take it easy. Only area he might ease into would be stealing bases. Everything else has to be 100% and if he re-aggravates his knee, you DL him until he can play again. That's what we're looking at. And I like it way better than Valdez and Orr.— eman
- Are you guys who want him to take it slow working on the Phils' training staff? I bet not. Only Utley and the trainers know when he is ready. If that's next week, all the better.— jpk
- Let Utley play now. Why? First, the Phillies have the best record in the National League with him or without him. Let him play now to test whether he can play in September or October. That way we can decide by July if we need an upgrade from a trade (Jose Reyes at second base?) I love Wilson Valdez and his defense, but his offense makes him a better utility player than an everyday player. Just the facts baby!— albanykey
- Utley cannot hurt, that's for sure, but remember, Utley was with the Phils last year through all of those 2-1 1-0 games, so he may not make a great deal of difference. That said, I would still much rather have him on the team and in the lineup and maybe he will be the spark the Phils need, I'm just sayin...— yumack
- So do you slot him in the 3 hole right away or let him bat 6th for a month or so?— ATrucksess
- If the injured knee was bad enough to keep Utley on the bench and he's now running...it's better. This guy does not like sitting out games I do want him to 100 percent but if he says he's ready to go bring 26 back to philly!— Phillyphan26
- The question is who do the Phillies get rid of when Utley returns? I'd say Michael Martinez. I know he's a Rule 5 player and all of that, but he's really wasting a roster spot. They need Valdez and Orr to stick around in case Utley reinjures himself.— SteveS11
