Utley to sit out after being hit in the head by pitch

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The first words out of Chase Utleys mouth after Eric OFlahertys pitch bounced off the back of his batting helmet were fairly poignant.

What happened?

It appeared as if nothing much happened after Utley was beaned with a pitch in the back of the head with two outs in the sixth inning of Wednesday nights victory over the Braves at the Bank. Utley jogged to first base and then took his position after Ryan Howard struck out to end the inning.

But it was when Utley was standing in the infield waiting for the top of the seventh when things took a turn. According to manager Charlie Manuel, Utley complained about a headache and was removed from the game.

As it turns out, Utley wont be in Thursday nights game in Milwaukee, either. As the Phillies were loading up the bus to head off to the airport, Utley was waiting at Citizens Bank Park to be examined by the team physician and a concussion specialist.

Utley did not make the trip with the team to Milwaukee.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. says Utley will do nothing on Thursday, but will undergo concussion exams on Friday.

As I told Chase, were not going to mess with the heart and were not going to mess with the head, Amaro said. When you get a 90-mph fastball off the melon you have to be cautious about it. Hes going to be out at least a couple of days.

As a result of Utleys injury, Amaro said the Phillies will activate shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the disabled list for emergency purposes. Rollins has been out since Aug. 21 with a strained groin. Rollins has been progressing with the injury and took infield practice and ran sprints before Monday nights game, but Amaro wants to wait for the shortstop to be completely healthy before he plays.

I think hes physically ready to go, but were going to be cautious, Amaro said. Well have Charlie use him in an emergency situation, if he needs him.

Last season, catcher Carlos Ruiz spent some time on the disabled list with a concussion, though Amaro says that one was much worse than the one suffered by Utley. However, over the past few seasons Major League Baseball has implemented mandatory measures to help players with concussions recover quicker.

We do baseline tests on everyone at spring training so well have the baseline to know to see if there is any difference, Amaro said.

Utley had been swinging the bat well before he was hit in the head. After going 0 for 7 in Sundays loss, Utley went 3 for 10 with a triple and a home run against the Braves. Without Utley in the lineup, Manuel will use Michael Martinez or Pete Orr at second base with Wilson Valdez at shortstop.

He didnt see it, Manuel said about the pitch that hit Utley.

E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com.

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