Utley heads back to Arizona for rehab
The latest Phillies and baseball news from Philly.com.
Utley heads back to Arizona for rehab
Ed Barkowitz
While the Phillies wrap up spring training in Philadelphia, Chase Utley is heading to Arizona taking the next step in his return from knee trouble.
In consultation with the Phillies medical staff, Utley will work with his personal therapist in Phoenix beginning Wednesday. The hope, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said, is that Utley would join the team some time during its trip out to the west coast. The 10-game road swing begins April 16 in San Francisco and also includes stops in San Diego and Arizona. Just because Utley would meet up with the team, however, doesn't necessarily mean he's simply going to be in the lineup.
"He's been progressing pretty well; (we want) to build on the progressions he's made," Amaro said. "I'm not sure quite how long he's going to be there. But he'll be there to do more intensive, one-on-one work with Brett Fischer and his group out there."
Utley hasn't done any baseball-related activity since early spring. He has been hampered by chondromalacia, a deterioration of the cartilage behind his left kneecap. Rookie Freddy Galvis will start at second base.
First baseman Ryan Howard (left Achilles), utility infielder Michael Martinez (right foot) and pitchers Justin De Fratus (right elbow) and Jose Contreras (right elbow) will join Utley on the disabled list to start the season. Reliever Michael Stutes (right shoulder) was due to pitch on Tuesday and a decision of his status could come by the end of the night.
Utley was in Arizona two weeks ago to see specialist Brett Fischer, who has worked with many other athletes, including former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Utley has said Fischer provided new stretching techniques, along with a new program of "manual therapy." He started implementing the new routine after he left Arizona.
"As you know, Chase doesn't like to be a distraction and he thinks this is the best way to not be one," Amaro said. "But we're looking forward to getting him back when he's feeling better. He's progressing well and we just want to build on it."
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Amaro said he had nothing to say about the Cole Hamels' negotiations, especially in the aftermath of the contract that the Giants' Matt Cain agreed to yesterday.
"You can ask it as many ways as you want," Amaro said.
Hamels pitches tonight in the final exhibition game against the Pirates.
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Here is the lineup for tonight's game with Shane Victorino in the leadoff spot. Juan Pierre and Freddy Galvis both have the night off. John Mayberry starts in left and Pete Orr at second.
Shane Victorino, CF
Placido Polanco, 3B
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Hunter Pence, RF
Laynce Nix, 1B
John Mayberry Jr., LF
Carlos Ruiz, C
Pete Orr, 2B
Cole Hamels, P
Send him to Germany for the Kobe/A-Rod/Manning treatment.— PhillySportsFix.com- agree!— kwasi2323
- Why does Utley get to decide what he does?? Dont the Phils have any say?? Who pays him?? I think the way he has handled himself over the winter is a complete failure on his part. He shouldnt get to do what he wants to do anymore.— SJDevilBoy
- Sorry Satan, but it's not your call pal...some quality people have earned the right to choose...even if it doesn't meet with your personal approval...back to the Pine Barrens with you... — stan the man too
- Exorcist 26 : Stan the Man vs. Powers of Darkness!
— DUDESKINS - Would be surprised if he ever plays for the Phillies again, although I hope I'm wrong. He is no closer today than he was at the end of last season. I'm sure he wants to play, it just seems like his boy has broken down, sadly.— F5
- Philly is one of the "Centers" of Orthopedics, having 4/5 Ortho Centers for research and surgery and recognized as such in the ortho industry, to say nothing about all the excellent hospitals staffed by graduates of these centers' training programs. All this and all of the therapists trained in sports specifics and our celebrity star has to go to AZ for a secret program NO ONE ELSE has seen??? It's no secret how muscles, tendons and bones interact. Probably 500 people just in Phila. could look at the x-rays and recommend specific therapy. Why so much drama involved. Just tell the truth Chase. Your knees are old and worn out. Therapy and rest will allow you to function as a person but you are permanently limited for baseball. It's very sad but it happens to many older athletes as well. I'd bet $20. the Phils weren't allowed to review all the xrays (privacy laws)and allowed Chase to develop his own direction. Now they're in the hole for $$$ and a 2nd baseman.— stoneman
- Yes Stoney, it's all one big conspiracy just to tick off people like yourself. (The truth if you really need to know is that Chase is actually headed to AREA 51 for otherworldly rehabbing)...the only drama involved here is strictly in the pea brains of a few genius posters... — stan the man too
- Philly not only has all these ortho centers but also is second to none in online knee experts.— dasher
- Dandy, Dasher...Dancer couldn't have said it any better... — stan the man too
- You guys JUST STOP bashing Utley and Brett Fischer. The GUY KNOWS what he is doing and Stoneman, Fischer was educated in the Delaware Valley at Orthopedic colleges and universities and is a DELAWARE VALLEY native (Quakertown) Did you know that?--He and Amaro have worked together before. Just stop it. Let the process play out. I don't want him (Utley) working some quack in Germany anyway. I get it his (Utley's) knee are shot. No stem cell research or whatever are going to regenerate worn cartilage. This is about pain-free tolerance and the BEST steps to make that happen. Fischer has worked with guys like Bill Mueller, Randy Johnson, Andre Wadsworth, Robby Alomar etc. Arizona is HOME to some of the BEST baseball therapists in the world. Again, Let this process play out the way it is going to.— dudega
- DUDE...you make way too much sense to be on board here... — stan the man too
- Typical phillies fans, complain about a player making HUGE money and not playing, but continue to go to every game and sellout every game blindly. Until you stop going to games and show owners that the money they pay is completely ridiculous for an athlete, don't complain. You shell out the cash for these injured players.— kozykoz26
- I've read some really moronic statements here over the years, but you certainly fall in the top ten. Its the owners fault that they have to pay injured players? I'm quite sure that the owners would be only too thrilled if they had a way out of that one. Ever heard of the Player's Union? — jimmy2x
- no me gusta. I miss my Chase! We can only hope that this avenue works out for him and we get to see him playing again this year.— corporatehuman
