Saturday, April 23, 2011
Posted: 7:50 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
SAN DIEGOAs Chase Utley continues to rehabilitate his tendinitis-stricken right knee, speculation grows that he could be in the Phillies' lineup sometime before the end of May. Maybe even around mid-month if all goes well.
The end of May seemed to be a rough target date at the end of spring training. On March 28, the Phils final day in Florida, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he didnt want to place Utley on the 60-day disabled list because he hoped the second baseman would be back long before that. A 60-day assignment would have kept Utley sidelined until May 28.
Amaro was asked Saturday if Utley could still be back within that unofficial 60-day time frame.
Were hopeful he can, but we dont know if its going to happen, Amaro said. We can only hope.
Hes made progress the last couple of weeks. He went from not running to running, though hes not running every day.
MLB
Utley has offered few hints into his recovery. When he can be pinned down, he offers that he is progressing, but there remains no timetable for his getting into the lineup. His condition is day-to-day. The best clues to his recovery come when he takes the field before games. The intensity of his ground-ball work has increased with more side-to-side work. He continues to take batting practice daily. When he does sprint in the outfield, he pushes it pretty good, but only in short bursts and he only runs about a dozen sprints. Utley is doing more work in behind-the-scenes workout areas with team athletic trainers.
The Phillies miss Utleys bat in the No. 3 hole. Jimmy Rollins entered Saturday nights game with just four extra-base hits (all doubles) and one RBI in 19 games in the No. 3 spot.
Manager Charlie Manuel, whose team entered Saturday night tied for the best record in the NL at 13-6, has limited options other than Rollins in the No. 3 spot. He could try Raul Ibanez there, but Ibanez is hitting under .200. Placido Polanco could get a look if Manuel decided to move him from the No. 2 hole.
Asked why he was sticking with Rollins in the No. 3 spot, Manuel said: Because were winning. And what the hell? Hes going to hit. Youve got to stay upbeat and keep going.
Manuel said he had considered using Polanco as the No. 3 hitter.
Ive thought about it, he said. But were winning games.
The Phillies rank 24th in the majors in extra-base hits. Amaro was asked if that bothered him.
That doesnt bother me, Amaro said. The fact that were not getting hits and driving in runs bothers me, but weve got who weve got. They just have to start hitting. So far theyve hit enough. Id like to have them hit more. Im sure theyre not trying to make outs.
Entering Saturday, the Phils had been held to three or fewer runs in seven of their last nine games.
Polanco actually was not in the lineup against the Padres on Saturday night, getting a rest after starting all 19 games. Wilson Valdez started at third base and Pete Orr at second against right-hander Tim Stauffer. Brian Schneider was the catcher with Carlos Ruiz getting a night off. Polanco and Ruiz will return to the starting lineup Sunday afternoon against lefty Wade LeBlanc. Roy Halladay starts for the Phillies.
Hamels update
Pitching coach Rich Dubee was not alarmed that Cole Hamels threw 126 pitches on Friday night. Anything but.
This is no longer his first year in the big leagues, Dubee said. Hes strong. His core and his midsection are tremendously strong. Hes always prepared to go the length.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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