Utley getting closer, but probably not Wednesday

Monday, May 16, 2011
Posted: 7:21 p.m.

By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com

ST. LOUISChase Utley is getting closer to being ready to make his season debut for the Phillies, but it probably wont come Wednesday night.

I dont think so, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said when asked if Utley would be ready for the start of a nine-game homestand.

He needs at-bats, Amaro continued. Even if hes 100-percent healthy, he needs at-bats.

Utley played eightinnings for Single-A Clearwater on Monday night. He went 1 for 4. He has 32minor-league at-bats. He is scheduled for a day off on Tuesday.

Phillies officials have been reluctant to put a timetable on Utleys return from patellar tendinitis in his right knee. If he continues to make progress physically and gets his timing down at the plate, it seems likely that he could be activated some time during the nine-game homestand, which runs through May 26.