Manuel says Utley will play 'pretty soon'

CLEARWATER, Fla. — There remains no concrete date for when Chase Utley will make his spring debut, but all indications are the Phillies second baseman will be on the field in a matter of days.

Utley participated in batting practice before Wednesday's 6-4 loss to Minnesota and Charlie Manuel revealed Utley is closer to taking the field.

"I'd say it's coming up pretty soon," Manuel said. "It's going to be a few days yet, but then he'll start pushing his workouts up."

Utley's chronic knee problems forced both he and the Phillies to adopt a different training program for the spring as they attempt to manage the injury, which will bother him so long as he plays baseball. Even then, as Utley's plan has been shrouded in secrecy, its truth has been questioned publicly.

But all along, team officials and coaches have maintained the target for Utley's workouts to intensify was the final 10 to 15 days of the spring. The Phillies train for 18 more days in Florida.

Manuel suggested Utley will face some live pitching, possibly in batting practice or as a designated hitter in a minor-league game.

"He's going to get going here pretty soon," Manuel said.

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