Utley headed north, could be activated Wednesday

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The Phillies hope to have Chase Utley in the lineup by Wednesday, sources tell CSNPhilly.com.

Utley played eight innings at second base for Single A Clearwater on Saturday night. It marked the first time he had played defense in consecutive games on his chronically sore knees since October. Playing defense on back-to-back days was considered an important step in Utleys return to the active roster.

Utley is now expected to travel to Philadelphia for the final stage of his rehab assignment. That is likely to include his playing in one more minor-league game, probably Tuesday at Triple A Lehigh Valley, before being activated for Wednesdays game against Pittsburghprovided there are no setbacks.

Utleys 20-day minor-league rehab assignment ends on July 1. He played nine games for the Phillies Clearwater club and was 5 for 32 (.156) with a homer and five RBIs.

The Phillies hope that Utley will be the first of three prominent players to come off the disabled list in the coming weeks. Ryan Howard could return shortly after the all-star break and Roy Halladay sometime in late July.

E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com

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