Utley looking realistic for Opening Day
It's looking more and more like Chase Utley is going to be ready for Opening Day. While the Phillies will be extra-cautious with their star second baseman, he appears right on schedule for a four-month return to full health. Utley has been taking ground balls during fielding practice since Tuesday and has been hitting in the cage, both off of a tee and off of soft tosses. There is the pain, not fatigue, in his surgically-repaired right hip, leading Utley to believe that his hope of an Opening Day return is now a reality. "I think it's pretty realisitc at this point," he said this morning. "We've pushed it over the past week and a half, two weeks that I've been down here and it's responded extermely well. We're not overdoing it yet but we are putting it to a good pace ans I think we are all pretty comfortable with it." Asked to handicap his chances of returning by the start of the season, he said they were "fair to quite fair." When Utley underwent his surgery in New York on Nov. 24, the Phillies announced a four-to-six month rehab for him. Monday marked the start of his 13th week after the operation. He'll be at 16 weeks -- four months -- post-op on March 16, which would give him 19 opportunities to play in spring training games before the start of the season. ^ Other stuff that didn't fit into the paper today: 1) It is a gray and windy day in Clearwater, snapping more than a week straight of perfect weather. It is supposed to drop into the 50's tomorrow before climbing back into the 60's for the weekend. 2) Newly-signed veteran Miguel Cairo worked at third base with Greg Dobbs yesterday, while prospect Jason Donald fielded balls at second base. If Pedro Feliz starts the season on the disabled list, I wouldn't be completely surprised to see someone like Cairo make the Opening Day roster. 3) 2008 first-round draft pick Anthony Hewitt might hit the ball as hard as anybody in camp. The ball just explodes off his bat. It's pretty amazing to watch and consider that he is still a teenager. That said, don't expect to see him in the big leagues any time soon. He is very much a project. Still, it is fun to watch him take batting practice. 4) The Grapefruit League opener is less than a week away. The Phillies travel to Pittsburgh on Wednesday for their first game of the spring.
Utley looking realistic for Opening Day
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
It's looking more and more like Chase Utley is going to be ready for Opening Day. While the Phillies will be extra-cautious with their star second baseman, he appears right on schedule for a four-month return to full health. Utley has been taking ground balls during fielding practice since Tuesday and has been hitting in the cage, both off of a tee and off of soft tosses. There is the pain, not fatigue, in his surgically-repaired right hip, leading Utley to believe that his hope of an Opening Day return is now a reality."I think it's pretty realisitc at this point," he said this morning. "We've pushed it over the past week and a half, two weeks that I've been down here and it's responded extermely well. We're not overdoing it yet but we are putting it to a good pace ans I think we are all pretty comfortable with it."
Asked to handicap his chances of returning by the start of the season, he said they were "fair to quite fair."
When Utley underwent his surgery in New York on Nov. 24, the Phillies announced a four-to-six month rehab for him. Monday marked the start of his 13th week after the operation. He'll be at 16 weeks -- four months -- post-op on March 16, which would give him 19 opportunities to play in spring training games before the start of the season.
^
Other stuff that didn't fit into the paper today:
1) It is a gray and windy day in Clearwater, snapping more than a week straight of perfect weather. It is supposed to drop into the 50's tomorrow before climbing back into the 60's for the weekend.
2) Newly-signed veteran Miguel Cairo worked at third base with Greg Dobbs yesterday, while prospect Jason Donald fielded balls at second base. If Pedro Feliz starts the season on the disabled list, I wouldn't be completely surprised to see someone like Cairo make the Opening Day roster.
3) 2008 first-round draft pick Anthony Hewitt might hit the ball as hard as anybody in camp. The ball just explodes off his bat. It's pretty amazing to watch and consider that he is still a teenager. That said, don't expect to see him in the big leagues any time soon. He is very much a project. Still, it is fun to watch him take batting practice.
4) The Grapefruit League opener is less than a week away. The Phillies travel to Pittsburgh on Wednesday for their first game of the spring.
I hope the Phils go with 3 catchers: Ruiz, Coste and (Rookie) Marson. Coste would also be a good right handed pinch-hitter. And by all means, get Marson more big league experience possibly splitting time with Coste in the back-up catcher's role...— JimmyD
Comment removed.- Agreed, Utley should take it slow....this injury has long term potential for shortening his career, and we (baseball) need all the Utley he can give us for as many years as possible....Marson not in the mix for this year. He and Carrasco will be quite the team in AAA this year. Next year definately.....the only way he makes it this year is injury (to Coste or Paulinho)...same with Carrasco, barring injury to 2-3 SPs.....— Mark1npt
- "I think I need to apply for an editor position. Anyway... glad to hear Utley appeears to be fine. I got from what he said that he was, but how you wrote left me/us confused. Have fun on the beat Murph." better learn how to spell appear then. :p— Snakes
- Splitting what is already limited playing time of a backup catcher is not a good way to bring up a highly rated prospect. You want him to catch as much as possible and learn as much as possible, even if it means at the AAA level. Sitting on the bench 9 out of 10 games doesn't do a young player any good.— Gary Varsho
- see above hoyaray. It helps to read teh comments, especially those by Dave before posting— jeff gross
- JimmyD who the hell cares about Hewwitt he is not making the team, that was possibly the most foolish request ever written. Murph I understood exactly what you meant. Everyone else lets get started------— Truth
- Truth, you have just, once again, proved why you'll never truly understand teh game. If Hewitt is a legitamate possibility for next year, and Feliz can't go due to his back long term, then the phils make a move based on the fact that they have Donald and Hewitt as possibles for 2011. IF he is years away, and DOnald doens't look like a starting 3B, then they have to go out and trade for a legit 3B even at the expence of a young arm. Everything that happens in the organinzation is important if you want to anticipate possible moves and senerios. Now you know why you weren't hired to replace Todd— jeff gross
- Great specifics on the bat of Hewitt, But on Utley pain thing, Murph, you blew it. Hoyaray may not be alone. Others miss the ZoZone. But hang in there Mr Murph, On Clearwater's Spring turf. Critics are abundant and but you will defeat 'em. Hell things could be worse, your name could be Eaton.— mick314
- Gary V - Your comments about not splitting time with a back up catcher makes sense, but maybe Marson should just fill the back up catcher role now like Coste has been doing the past few seasons? Then the questions becomes whether it's worth carrying Coste on the roster as a pinch-hitting 3rd catcher?— JimmyD
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- I would like to hear more about Donald and Marson! Do either one have a shot at making the team and what do you think of the their abilities.— pattymac3
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- I believe the Phils will keep Hewitt in the minors until Rollins goes down the pike via free agency. It sounds like the Phils are grooming him to play either 3rd or SS depending on how things fall out. Donald is a talented ball player with a very good bat but is stuck behind Utley so it makes sense to think he will spend a majority of his time at 3rd. Marson is ready for the bigs now and don't be surprised if he stays up and gives Ruiz a run for his money. Coste is able to play 1st and 3rd but unless he starts hitting again he may be toast. I can’t figure why they got Paulino but then if they plan on trading a catcher than it makes sense. For those who want to be an editor learn to use a word program or spend more time proof reading.— Wally 24
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