Chase Utley moving fast
The first official workout of the spring isn't until Saturday, but there's already plenty of action at the Phils' spring training facility.
Chase Utley moving fast
Inquirer Online Desk
Jim Salisbury reports from Clearwater:
The first official workout of the spring isn't until Saturday, but there's already plenty of action at the Phils' spring training facility.
Chase Utley is here and his recovery from off-season hip surgery is moving quickly. Utley did some light running today, then took ground balls -- nice and easy -- for the first time. He said he will be swinging a bat soon.
Both Utley and manager Charlie Manuel said today that opening day remains a realistic possibility for Utley -- if he doesn't have any setbacks.
Utley looks strong. He said he ended last season ``in the low 180s'' and is now in the ``high 190s.'' The injury last year prevented him from doing his normal lower-body weight work.
If Utley is not ready to open the season, infield prospect Jason Donald could break with the team. He has arrived early and is working at second base. Donald is a natural shortstop, but has begun playing second and third.
Cole Hamels did some light throwing in the outfield.
Infielder Anthony Hewitt, the team's top pick last June, has been invited to camp as part of a contractual obligation. Hewitt took some BP and hit some rockets out of a Bright House Field. The big question with Hewitt is if he'll make enough contact to make it to the majors. But the kid has big power and an athletic build. Utley called him Bo Jackson. Hewitt needs several years in the minors. It'll be fun watching him make the climb.
Coolest thing we saw today: The sign on the clubhouse door, welcoming you to the home of the 2008 World Series champs.
Later.
Mick, I don't have any influence over the web guys, honest. Maybe Norma, she's a charmer. I'm sure they will get to purging Zo from the Q&A sometime. Truth, the site was slow, not responding, excuse my 3X posting, I beg of you...LOL. Still waiting for the Inqy to give you the blog byline? Glad to see you are now also worrying about Utley's financial position besides Howard's. Maybe you can be Treasury Sec...are you caught up on your taxes?— jimmymack- Let Donald start the season at second. That will give him MLB experience with limited pressure. The early weeks of the season amount to teams working out the kinks. Tell the kid he isn't expected to produce squat. Chase returns, Donald goes down. Then, late in the season if injuries or opportunities present themselves, you have Donald coming back to produce with the deer in headlights part of the AA to MLB jump out of the system. He's able to contribute.— Joe in Haddonfield
- Todd Zo still listed on Inq site under 'Ask the Writers". I have inquired about this several times, to no avail. Can Jimmymack and Norma address this issue as I know they have a strong influence on the subjectmatter ? Thank you.— mick314
Comment removed.- Welcome back to the living Truth, been wondering where you were. CGMORGAN: do us all a favor-shut up. SInce you obviously know nothing about the game, keep your (lack of) opionions to yourself, The Phils had a great opff season and spent wisely. THey don't need help in the rotation, wisely choosing to spend to keep the team togethter (look at all teh multi year contracts to our regulars and to COle) as for CC-I'm willing to bet he bombs in NY and won't win more then 15 games. Remember how "great" he was against the Phils in the playoffs. Feliz is a fine 3B for what we need (DEFENSE( and besides we have DOnald to replace him next year. Can't wait for the games to start and everyone to be ganging up on Truth again.— jeff gross
- Jimmymack I think we got the point x 3.... Great nrws about about Chase. I wonder if the "future HOFer" feels like he left a little money on the table?— Truth
- this really isnt a surprise considering a range of 4-6 months from november includes opening day
- The Phillies still needed to add streght to the bull pen. The could gone after C.C.which wouldhave given the an awesome 1-2-3 punch. But instead we lollygag around and miss chances to inprove the pen. And what about the week play at 3rd base? You mean to tell me there was nothing we could had done to get De Rosa form the cubs? Or if your going to keep Felix then why not see how Joe Crede is coming along ? I think he is going to suprise the team who ends up picking him up. OMG Eaton needs to be fired, he hasn't done anything during the off season to ready himself for this season and with his hefty pay check the phillies should have been on him all off season. I mean come on what did we pay this guy to do sit out his ast year and use up team funds that could be used else where. Any player who takes pride in sitting by and actucually takes money from a team when they have no worked in the off season to better himself should be made to forfit the money he is owed his last year. This guy has done not one thing for the phillies but drain the wallet of the phillies. If we could recoup some of his money then we could have gotten a good 3rd baseman. And we could have been in the run to get C.C. in our bullpen. The phillies need a better finacial officer and better scouts! We Won the world series and still could not get any better sp and a 3rd and we shall see about this new left fielder we have now. We so have kept Pat the Bat instead of this guy. But hey only time will tell. I want to us to be there to defend our crown but we really needed to makw better moves on are week areas.— cgmorgan
- If you're a Flyers fan you know "might be ready for the opener" means he'll play 3 games, re-injure himself, and be out til August.— bobbyd24
- I still would have liked to see them go out and get a starter. You don't know what is going to happen with Moyer, if he finally hits the wall this team all of the sudden is a bit thin at starting pitcher.— MBFlyerfan
- Is Jim Salisbury taking over or just filling in for Todd?? Can someone at the Inquirer let us know what's going on?— Erich H
- Wish I was down there, especially when it gets cold again. Can't wait to see the World Champs play ball again & defend the title!— ChekUrFax
- Muat be nice to have two young third base prospects in the system, one compared in size to a Bo Jackson in Hewitt and the other compared in size to a Soctt Rolen in Mattair. Guess that's why Donald is not considered for the third baseman of the future role but the heir apparent to Bruntlett as the super sub.— Dull
- World F**king Champions!— chasing history
- the Zo Zone is back!!!!! todd got his blog going over at mlb, and brought the old name back— timm2
- i— KarenA
- Let Donald and Giles help for a bit Chase. And, oh, why not allow Hewitt to hit DH in some of the training games? Who knows, Willie Mays could be in the making! If that works out, I will buy the Phillies! LOL— KGKoons
- Glad to hear Chase is taking things slowly. I think he's a smart enough player to not rush into things. Enjoyed your articles on Charlie.— KarenA
- wow. seems like only a few weeks ago when they were talking the phils being totally screwed because chase was supposed to miss the first two months of the season. now they're talking him playing on opening day? chase utley truly is a golden god.— Ryan
- Chase, as much as we love to see you play, Take your time, don't rush. Make a full recovery.— RDL
- Hopefully Chase will take the cautious route on his recovery, missing a little time vs. making this a longer term injury is worth the wait. BTW, nice job on the Manual series, good stuff.— jimmymack
- Hopefully Chase will take the cautious route on his recovery, missing a little time vs. making this a longer term injury is worth the wait. BTW, nice job on the Manual series, good stuff.— jimmymack
- Hopefully Chase will take the cautious route on his recovery, missing a little time vs. making this a longer term injury is worth the wait.— jimmymack
