Phillies Notebook: Utley likely to start season on DL, Amaro acknowledges

CLEARWATER, Fla. - With a week to go before Opening Day, the unofficial injury report looks like this:

Placido Polanco - Highly Probable

Brad Lidge - Unknown

Chase Utley - Out

Ruben Amaro Jr. acknowledged the obvious yesterday, saying he expects Utley to start the season on the disabled list as the second baseman continues his battle with patellar tendinitis, chondromalacia and bone inflammation in his right knee.

Polanco, on the other hand, is expected to be in the lineup today for the first time since hyperextending his left elbow against the Blue Jays on March 15.

Then there is Lidge. The veteran closer saw his first Grapefruit League action yesterday afternoon, recording two quick strikeouts of Twins no-namers Chase Lambin and Luke Hughes before allowing four straight hitters to reach base: one on a home run, one on a line single, and the last two on walks.

Lidge, who expressed confidence in his ability to be ready by Opening Day after pitching in a minor league game Tuesday, was not available to speak with reporters after the outing. Manager Charlie Manuel did not sound concerned after the game, but also did not rule out the possibility that Lidge's recent bout with biceps soreness could affect his status for the start of the season.

"We'll see what happens," Manuel said. "We'll see where he's at. If he's not ready to go out there, he'll let us know. The way he pitches will kind of tell us, too."

Lidge, who has started the season on the disabled list twice in the last 3 years, hoped to pitch every second day leading up to the Phillies' opener against the Astros on April 1. Whether that has changed remains to be seen.

Utley, who has been limited to batting practice and light fielding work since the first week of spring training, has made no major strides toward rejoining the team.

Asked whether Utley would start the season on the DL, Amaro replied: "I would think so. I haven't seen him on the field yet, and we're a week away."

Utley spent the Phillies' pregame infield practice yesterday morning the same way he has spent each one this spring: watching from the sideline, in this case chatting with hitting coach Greg Gross.