Manuel Hopeful Utley Can Return Next Week
Posted by Pat Gallen, Thu, June 21, 2012 05:23 PM | Comments: 9
Analysis, News, Opinion, Posts
Will Chase return next week? (AP)
Charlie Manuel said before Thursday’s series finale against the Rockies that Chase Utley could be back next week if all continues to go well.
Manuel says it’s all about feeling comfortable in the field for Utley, who is DH-ing and batting third for Clearwater again tonight. He played eight innings in the field on Wednesday and hit a home run, so obviously people in the organization are getting a little antsy thinking about what could be.
If anything, it’s almost certain Utley will return to the team when his rehab stint expires on July 2. But it’s starting to sound like he could be ahead of schedule and possibly in the Phillies lineup before the end of this month.
I asked Manuel if he lets himself think about a lineup with Utley and Ryan Howard in it, and he basically admitted that he’s wondered about it a time or two. He said with them in the lineup you’ll see more “fast runs.” Part of the issue of this offense, although it has been rather good since May, is that the long ball is missing. Manuel hopes that will change a bit when his star infielders return.
Posts: 442 Bruce
Wow! Can that really be? Do I allow myself to think and expect Utley to return THIS month? If nothing else, it’s a sure sign that Utley is confident and physically fit to play regularly before long. In any case, great news!.
Posted: 05:51 PM on June 21, 2012
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Sorry it doesnt excite me at all.
Manuel will insist on hitting him 3rd regardless of what he has left in the tank.
Now at least he plays the game right and will not do harm.
When the other guy comes back ( you know who I mean) I am gonna say it will do serious harm to the team especially if they are on any type of a roll offensively.
As always hope I am wrong on all accounts.
Posted: 06:02 PM on June 21, 2012
Posts: 31 Gavin
Come on Andrew, a little bit of optimism is allowed!
Posted: 06:21 PM on June 21, 2012
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
Do no harm as far as doing moronic stuff or not hustling.
He is a ball player 100%
Just is all crippled up now with little to no power left.
Posted: 06:05 PM on June 21, 2012
Posts: 0 Andrew from Waldorf
I try and I hope.
I understand most fans thrive on it.
I am a gambler and will bet against my favorite horse in a second.
Just my honest take on the situation.
Many times I lose a bet and am happy my friends horse won.
I hope I am wrong.
Posted: 06:33 PM on June 21, 2012
Posts: 1429 Pat Gallen
Regardless of what you think of Utley at this stage in his career, he’s still an upgrade over what they have. Galvis was playing some nice ball at times, but Utley can still be a game changer. Let’s not tie him to the tree yet.
Posted: 06:39 PM on June 21, 2012
Posts: 0 teejvee
There is no precedent in the history of basebal for a guy coming back with an injury like Utley’s. So we have no clue as to what will happen, But based on last year, the prognosis is not good.
Posted: 08:37 PM on June 21, 2012
Posts: 531 schmenkman
Based on last year, he will no longer be one of the top 2 or 3 players in baseball as he was for the period from 2005 to 2010, but he will still be one of the best at his position and arguably the best second baseman in the NL (http://www.thegoodphight.com/2012/2/2/2715299/chase-utley-and-50-years-of-second-basemen).
Now we really don’t know what we’re going to get this year, but if it’s anywhere near 2011 levels, we should be very happy with that.
Posted: 08:23 AM on June 22, 2012
Posts: 0 c schreiber
Pat, do you really believe he’ll be a gamer changer this year? Really? Really?
Posted: 09:59 PM on June 21, 2012