Phillies Notebook: Utley taking his time with oblique injury

WHEN THE Phillies returned home from Boston on Wednesday, Ruben Amaro Jr. had to clarify that Chase Utley had not suffered a setback in his rehab from an oblique strain. However, Utley is closer to the 4-week part of the team's 2-to-4 week projection for his return.

When Utley showed up at Citizens Bank Park yesterday, he at least felt well enough to take the field for the first time in more than a week.

Exactly a week after landing on the disabled list with a right oblique strain, Utley took ground balls at second base before the Phillies took batting practice.

"So far, so good," Utley said afterward. "It went fine. It's all about taking the next step. So we just want to make sure we all feel comfortable in making that next step. Today was a step."

Utley continues to take a cautious approach on returning from the injury, as oblique strains can worsen if a player attempts to play through it or return too soon. Utley would rather miss another week if need be, rather than several months.

"It's the first time I've pulled anything, so it's a new process for me," Utley said. "But I'm trying to stay positive with it. The main thing is to take it slow, especially with obliques, you don't want to set yourself back any further."

Utley will almost certainly need a minor league rehab assignment before his return to the Phillies, which Amaro estimated as sometime in mid-June. Utley hasn't swung a bat since suffering the strain during practice on May 21.

He will have to get his timing back before he returns, and that process won't begin until Utley heals.

"The biggest test will be rotational stuff, because that's initially what hurt it in the first place, so that'll be the last thing I do," Utley said. "So I'll run, try to get into baseball shape, take ground balls. Those are the things I'll do until I'm ready to hit."

Infield prospect Cesar Hernandez made his first major league start last night. He hit second in the lineup and played second base. Hernandez was summoned to the big leagues on Wednesday, when veteran Michael Young was placed on the bereavement list. Young will miss at least one more game . . . Ryan Howard was out of the starting lineup for the fourth time in the last 11 games. Manager Charlie Manuel said he rested Howard for two reasons: the first baseman's ailing left knee and because the Phils were facing a lefthander starter in Boston's Franklin Morales. If you include the 2007 playoffs, Howard entered the day 0-for-9 with five strikeouts in his career against Morales . . . According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Wednesday's 4-3 win was just the second time in franchise history that the Phils won a one-run game on the power of four solo home runs. The only other time came at the start of the franchise's most forgettable month. On Sept. 1, 1964, the Phils beat the Houston Colt 45s on solo homers from Dick Allen, Johnny Callison, Wes Covington and Frank Thomas.

Today on PhillyDailyNews.com: Dom Brown = Hard Work