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
- okay um ben fransico was utleys replacement at third for ucla bruins and became a 4th round pick so why isnt fransisco taking grounder right now. And why is ibanez and castro on this team. before these injuries theres no reson fransico and ibumez were not at least platooning in left. Ibumez hasent hit since june of las year ever since the new york post leak that steroid rumer. Hes 38 why do we sign 38 yr olds. Ruben is a serious concern and manuel has to learn how to use his bench.— phillyboyda1
- DeRossa on the DL, Figgins hitting .237, Polanco on the DL . . . again. Looks like Beltre was "The Catch" of last years free agent crop, a .340 avg with 12 home runs? Hindsight is 20/20— phasor
More news on the injury front - 1,000's of Phillies fans (???) suffered broken ankles falling off the bandwagon. The Phillies will survive for 2-3 weeks. Halladay, Hamels, and Moyer all pitching well. Blanton seems to be rounding (no pun intended) into his normal 2nd half self and Happ will be here to replace Kendrick in a week along with Madsen to give bullpen a boost. Rollins, Dobbs, Werth, Howard, Victorino, Ibanez, Casto/Valdez, Schneider is still as dangerous a lineup as the Braves or Mets throw out there. Ruiz comes back and hits 7 and moves Castro/Valdez down in order. Key right now is for the replacements to play solid D and chip in here and there.— bird11- HAHA This is whats called Karma.Guess you shouldnt have bashed Mets fans last year when thier team got hit with a bunch of injuries. What goes around comes around. Enjoy 3rd place this year.— brian624
- yikes. we can't buy a break. just have to keep grinding away, i guess. different players are going to have to step it up. if any team can withstand these setbacks, this team can.— esesjay
- they need to look at atkins,bocock whoever he is needs to stay where he is. bring mayberry up dobbs is not ready to hit this is turning into a disaster.— only 9
- Nigel, I agree with you! why didn't they bring-up RANSON. HES GOT 16 HOMERS AND 51 RBI'S with the pigs. Who is responsible for this decision?— larryv
- Coume on Rube trade either Happ or Kendrick along woith 1-2 minor league players and throw in Dobbs for C Leee or someone like him.— bossrjc
- only 9 - Atkins would be a solid pick up once he clears waivers. Cheap insurance. Good glove at 3B and if either Polanco or Utley are out longterm you can keep him at third and play the other at 2B. Utley can't be replaced but a lineup with Atkins hitting 7 isn't all that bad.— bird11
- larryv - just guessing but maybe the Phillies have an eye on Atkins. If they bring up Ransom and then send him back he would need to clear waivers - this way Bobock is up for a few days and sent right back down.— bird11
- Hey Gelb, Tulowitzki is not a 2B and never has been...he's the SS for Colorado! Sometimes I wonder if Phils beat writers know anything about baseball beyond the Phillies...— BJG83
Comment removed.- very concerned about the thumb injury that chase has...i injured my thumb playing baseball in college and it took almost a year to be completely pain free.— john dorian
- Comment removed.
- Phils should keep Valdez at second and contact Baltimore about Ty Wiggington. He'd be the perfect utility guy, has experience at 3rd and could spell outfielders once Polly and or Utley comes back as well, on top of spelling them. Probably wouldn't take a whole lot to get him either.— MattKnife
- Wigginton, by the way, has also played 1st and 2nd for the Orioles as well as 3rd and OF for the Mets/Marlins I think. His numbers this year: .266 13 HR 40 RBI— MattKnife
