An emotional Pat Burrell says goodbye

They never discussed Pat Burrell's issuing one final speech to Phillies fans on the official day of his retirement.

"I probably couldn't have," Burrell said.

He watched a video tribute to his career from the Phillies dugout before Saturday's game. He lobbed a ball to close friend Chase Utley. Then he cried when John Vukovich's three granddaughters scurried toward him.

"I wasn't ready for that," Burrell said. So the 35-year-old slugger cried.

Burrell works for the San Francisco Giants as a scout, but he retired as a Phillie by signing a one-day, minor-league contract. The former first-round pick experienced highs and lows in Philadelphia, but his legacy was summarized by resounding cheers from a sellout crowd Saturday.

"I don't miss playing," Burrell said. "I miss a lot of the baseball part of it, but the playing part I don't because it got to the point where I just couldn't do it with my foot. . . . I miss seeing the guys."

Burrell made approximately $70 million during his career while winning two World Series rings. He never made an all-star team, but ranks fourth all-time in Phillies home runs, eighth in RBIs, and fifth in walks.

His connection to Vukovich, a longtime Phillies coach, was special.

"He affected a lot of people in obviously a very positive way," Burrell said. "It wasn't always hugs and taps on the back either. It was both ways. We had a couple rumbles here and there. But in the end, all he wanted was for you to be the best you could be."

Burrell hugged Utley after throwing the first pitch and put his arms around the injured second baseman. Instead of Burrell speaking, the scoreboard played a clip from his speech after a parade down Broad Street in 2008.

He called that day the greatest of his career.

"When you turn the corner on Market and around that little hill to Broad - I don't think you could ever be prepared for that," Burrell said. "The fans, the people, the sound - it's hard to express how powerful that was for me in 2008."

Laynce Nix is eligible to return from the disabled list Friday, but he only recently began walking without substantial pain. He is looking at a recovery time of weeks, not days.

Nix was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left calf strain. He has yet to run and just starting doing some exercise on a stationary bike.

"It's a pretty good tear," Nix said. "It's unfortunate."

Nix was quite productive at the plate before the injury. In 22 games (51 plate appearances), he hit .326 with a .979 OPS. In the 14 games he started, he had seven extra-base hits with a .317 batting average.

He signed a two-year, $2.5 million deal in the winter.

Jimmy Rollins suffered a Grade 2 calf strain in 2010 and missed a total of 56 games with the injury.

"It's going to be longer than the 15 days," Nix said.

Manuel filled out his 34th different lineup in 41 games and the latest one did not include Placido Polanco for the third straight game. Manuel said his third baseman is still sore from fouling numerous balls off his left knee.

Polanco tested the knee with some running drills before Saturday's game. He pinch-hit with two runners on base in the sixth inning and hit into a double play.

After taking Friday off as planned, Chase Utley fielded more ground balls Saturday during batting practice. That marked increased activity in three of the last four days, a sign of progress for the second baseman's chronically injured knees. . . . Righthander Mike Stutes is scheduled to see a team doctor Monday and could receive clearance to begin throwing again. He has been sidelined since April 22 with right shoulder soreness. . . . Boston catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia required 12 stitches for a cut on his left ear suffered Friday, but started again Saturday.

Contact Matt Gelb at mgelb@phillynews.com or follow on Twitter @magelb.