Utley, Polanco both placed on DL
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Utley, Polanco both placed on DL
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CINCINNATI -- Almost certainly, this day will be remembered as a turning point in the 2010 Phillies' season, regardless of how it ends up.
The Phillies placed half of their infield on the disabled list Tuesday. Second baseman Chase Utley (sprained ulnar collateral ligament of the right thumb) and third baseman Placido Polanco (left elbow inflammation) were both placed on the 15-day disabled list. Polanco is placed retroactive to June 26.
Utley is eligible to return July 14; Polanco is July 11. Seven Phillies are on the disabled list, including catcher Carlos Ruiz.
Greg Dobbs and Brian Bocock were recalled from triple-A Lehigh Valley.
The Phillies remain unsure of how long Utley might be out. He will likely seek a second opinion on the injury from a hand specialist. Polanco is already back in Philadelphia. He said Monday he might need offseason surgery to repair a bone spur that is bothering his left elbow.
Both Utley and Polanco were the leading vote getters in National League All-Star voting at their respective positions.
Two teams recently lost their second basemen to injury, Boston (Dustin Pedroia) and Colorado (Troy Tulowitzki). Neither made a big-time move to bring in a middle infielder because, well, there isn't much out there.
The Phillies could look at middle infielders like Adam Everett or Mark Grudzielanek, both of whom were recently released. Garrett Atkins can play third and he was just released by Baltimore. Aki Iwamura and Kaz Matsui are in the minors.
But do those players actually represent upgrades? Probably not. (Although Brian Bocock was slugging a robust .231 at triple A.)
The Phillies have six players (Dobbs, Bocock, Wilson Valdez, Dane Sardinha, Mike Zagurski, Nelson Figueroa) who have spent time at Lehigh Valley this season.
We'll find out more shortly from Charlie Manuel, assistant GM Scott Proefrock and athletic trainer Scott Sheridan.
Wowm what a bunch of dreck. I can't believe we have no one better in the minors sad state of affairs to say the least.— bigtuna- And what was your slugging percentage at triple A, mr. gelb?— mmonahan
- we are officially in trouble.— phillyfan14
- What is that saying...."character is something you find when you're up against it"...Howard, Rollins, Hamels, Werth and Ibanez are ALL up against it.— dri_as_a_bone
- Some of those days are the all-star break.— P Even
- If only they had kept Cliff Lee. he could pitch one game and play second base the other 4 games— lancastermike
- Brian Blocock? Really?— sla6yer
Polanco sounds like he's likely done for the season. At least Dobbs is back; I heard he didn't like the sandwiches they served at Lehigh.— thebigrocketboy- Why didn't they bring up that third baseman that they signed who played for the Yankees last season?— dross
- I'd prefer Melvin Dorta to Bocock. If Polanco needs an operation, they should do it right now.— JayW
- Utley and Polanco go on the D.L. at the same time is going to hurt the Phils, no doubt. But what will likely hurt them more is having to call up Dobbs (2-17 since his demotion a week ago) and Bocock (I don't even know this guy, but he is crushing the ball at Lehigh...uh, not, he's batting like .179). It is one thing to call up minor leaguers to fill your roster temporarily, but the way these guys are playing they shouldn't even be minor leaguers. Cannot believe this team does not have at least ONE better option available. Poor foresight by management. Also, why is a guy hitting .179 in late June still at AAA?— MrPhillie
- Damn! Cody Ransom would be superior to either Dobbs or Bocock. Bloody hell. What did they sign Ransom for anyway if not to bring him up in a situation like this!— Nigel#1
- What's the point in bringing up Mayberry and Brown to ride the pine? I wouldn't be surprised to find Utley's injury to be the more serious of the two. FWIW, Grudz might be a nice temp replacement for either. At least he makes contact though lacking in power. While giving Atkins a shot couldn't hurt more than starting Dobbs everyday, he's only a full season removed from when he hit 21 HR and drove in 99, plus he's a righty. Just my 2 cents.— gophils1
- The Phils are in big trouble unless the Mets and Braves collapse the way the Gnats have. The Phils can't even string two wins together rigt now. The arms go dead and the bats fall silent at the same time. :-(— sfcbenny
- I'm more worried that kyle kendrick is our 5th starter— lefty1117
