Utley still shooting for opening day
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Utley still shooting for opening day
Bob Brookover, Inquirer Baseball Columnist
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The man who might be the opening-day second baseman hit a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning Saturday at Bright House Field.
That was Freddy Galvis, the 22-year-old infielder who continues to impress manager Charlie Manuel and the entire Phillies organization.
The man who might not be the opening-day second baseman took batting practice and went through his daily workout routine, which so far has not included playing in a game.
That, of course, is Chase Utley.
Even though Galvis was one of the stars in the Phillies' 4-3, 10-inning win over the Toronto Blue Jays, it was Utley who drew the most attention in the clubhouse afterward.
Utley, bothered by chronic tendinitis in his right knee, was asked if he still thought he could be ready for opening day April 5 in Pittsburgh.
"That's the goal," he said.
His activities since early in camp have been limited to batting practice and workouts behind closed doors that do not include taking ground balls. Utley said it was his decision to back off on taking ground balls based on the way his knee felt.
The veteran second baseman had warned at the start of camp that he would not play in the early portion of spring training, but the questions have mounted as his absence has continued. One big-league scout said he did not think it would be possible for Utley to open the season on time if he was not on the field starting next week.
Utley was asked if everything has gone according to his original spring-training plan.
After a long pause, he said, "I don't know. That's a good question. There have been some ups and downs. There are parts that are really positive."
Utley confirmed that he has not done any infield work recently.
"Not yet," he said. "I'm making progressions to get to that point. I'd like to do that at some point next week."
Asked if he felt better or worse than he did at the beginning of camp, Utley simply answered that "today, I felt pretty good."
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Knees of Glass— Sam Crow- This comment has been deleted. — the lopez!
- uh oh— PhillyfaninMD
- I hate to say this but I think this man is cooked. 4 months off during the winter and can't even make a pinch hitting appearance during spring training. Believe his knees are shot. Sad.— pokerface
- I hate to say this but I think this man is cooked. 4 months off during the winter and can't even make a pinch hitting appearance during spring training. Believe his knees are shot. Sad.— pokerface
- Sadly, I have to agree with you. Utley played in almost every game after he came back last year, up until the final game. Now he takes four months off and he's unable to play at all? That makes no sense to me. Either there's something we're not being told or Utley really is finished. If the Phillies really think they're going to win another Division title and make a run at a World Series championship with Galvis/Martinez at 2nd base, 1st base by committee and 3rd base by an often injured Polanco (with Martinez to back him up), then they're really asking us to drink the Kool Aid. — SteveS11
- We traded Valdez because Utley is our new utility infielder.— terrycindyian
- This really is NOT good....one of the trades that pssed me offthis year was the Valdez one. That man did us SO good last few seasons because Utley or Rollins or Polanco was hurt is no longer around to help us........WHY. Hewastheone that kept us in the rankings while our older guys got well.....NOW we don't even have him and the way it looks we are not going to have Utley??......I want to know why are we koeeping Utley around if he can not even play in ONEspring training game....this is getting ridiculas....i am beside myself with all this.....Thereseems to be NO WAY we aregonna have a Teamready doropening day.....hey everyone, letsbet usedto the Phillies sucking the waytney usedto....we got ouselves a general manager that mustbe smoking something....Iam VERY ticked off atour whole organization rightnow........It isleavinga bleak outlook on my mind, very bleak....— JErmilio
- Sad, but this is probably the reality of his knee condition every year from now on. I think you bring Galvis up but go with the lineup of Wiggington at 3rd, Polanco at 2nd. In my opinion thats our best offensive lineup and reasonable on defense. Give Galvis 2 games a week to see if he can adjust to the pitching.— philsfan in the atx
- None of us know what's going on behind closed doors so there's no reason to panic. However, these certainly are not good signs...— hillbillybirdsfan
- Why is it so much to ask as a fan a little honesty. "Chase Utley has a chronic issue with his knee and he is not playing because he is physically unable to play." Players do NOT go from unable to take infield practice to starting a game in 3 weeks. Chase Utley is one of the greatest Phillies ever but he got very old very quick.— tommazza
- Utley's situation reminds me of Mickey Mantle at the end of his career with him coming out of games in the outfield for a defensive replacement late in games. In his last two season he was moved to first base but he still showed up in the line up just about every day. If they properly manage Utley he should be fine. Clearly Freddy Galvis has made this team and can give Utley relief at second through out the season.— Dull
- Sounds like his career is over. All this time and he can't take grounders yet.— p-diddy
- Maybe he is a pinch hitter now. It's sad. I remember seeing him sprint for short fly balls at full speed last year, in spite of this condition. He played hard for every ball, even when it was playable by the right fielder or shortstop. One of the greats.— jerseyshorefan
