Phillies Notes: Utley rejoins Phillies, is likely to start on Friday

Chase Utley arrived at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday morning, effectively ending his three-game rehab stint in the minor leagues. He watched from the dugout as the Phillies fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 10-8. Utley packed his belongings afterward and changed into a suit. The second baseman had a flight to catch. Utley was rejoining the Phillies and traveling to San Diego.

Interim manager Pete Mackanin said Utley is likely to start on Friday against the Padres. He expects to fit the 36-year-old into the lineup four days a week.

The more Utley plays, the more chances trade partners have to determine if he is worth acquiring in a waiver deal. Utley was batting just .179 before he headed to the disabled list on June 24 with inflammation in his right ankle. He is likely to be a free agent after the season; his $15 million option will be activated only if Utley records 500 plate appearances. He has 249 with 53 games remaining.

Mackanin plans to create space for Utley by moving second baseman Cesar Hernandez to shortstop. Freddy Galvis, the team's shortstop, could even moonlight in center field. Utley will also see time at first base.

"I'll look at matchups when I get them and go from there," Mackanin said. "We have to get him at-bats. I'll do the best I can to try and do that."

Hernandez went 2 for 5 and scored two runs Thursday. The 25-year-old is batting .324 in 36 games since Utley moved to the disabled list. Hernandez led off the game with an infield single and scored the first run of a five-run inning.

Lately, Hernandez has batted predominantly in the leadoff spot, a role he appeared to thrive in. He extended his hitting streak to six games with his seventh multi-hit game in two weeks. Hernandez said he was told he will still play every day. Most of his time this season has been at second base, but he has experience at shortstop, third base, and center field. Hernandez said he does not mind moving around.

"I've done it before," he said. "That's nothing new."

Mackanin met this week with Hernandez, Galvis, third baseman Maikel Franco, and utility infielder Andres Blanco. He warned the four players that their playing time could decrease with Utley's return. Mackanin said they "are all aware of the situation."

"It isn't easy," Mackanin said.

Adam Loewen, a lefthanded reliever who dominated in triple A, will meet the team in San Diego. Outfielder Jordan Danks and righthander Dailer Hinojosa were optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Loewen has pitched 22 times since rejoining the IronPigs in June following a brief stint in double A. All but one of his outings have been scoreless. He has a 1.26 ERA and 47 strikeouts in his last 282/3 innings. He thrived with Lehigh Valley in the closer role. The move gives the Phillies a second lefthanded reliever after last week's trade of Jake Diekman.

Loewen last played in the majors in 2011. Baltimore drafted him in the first round in 2002. Loewen transitioned to the outfield in 2009 before moving back to pitching last spring with the Phillies.