That is all Utley - sidelined with patellar tendinitis, chondromalacia, and bone inflammation in his right knee - can do.
Everything about Utley's spring has been nebulous, from the initial diagnosis to his visit to a mystery "rehab specialist." For two weeks, the second baseman has remained silent, refusing to comment on his health. On Monday, while the Phillies conclude Grapefruit League play, Utley will address reporters about his uncertain future.
There are likely no clear answers and in some ways, that explains Utley's reluctance to speak. The usual briefings from Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. result in some form of "status quo."
"I'm sure he's frustrated," Amaro said recently. "He should be frustrated. We all would. But actually his demeanor is pretty good. I know he's disappointed he's not playing, but he understands it, and he's being patient as he possibly can. He's not a real patient guy, but overall he's being pretty patient.
"He's not happy he's not playing, but he's not distraught."
The greatest emphasis has been placed on patience. Head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan said the team needed to do research on more conservative options to treat the chronic knee problems. Surgery, as Utley said earlier this spring, is not "cut and dried." The fact that the Phillies are willing to first exhaust all nonsurgical options explains the complex nature and uncertain prognosis surgery provides.
After the diagnosis, Utley was asked about possibly being ready for opening day. He began speaking of the three years left on his contract and how he has a whole rest of a career left to worry about.
That raised plenty of eyebrows.
Sheridan has emphasized the need for patience when implementing the conservative treatments, suggesting others have not devoted enough time to them. All signs point to Utley being out for a lengthy period, especially given his lack of improvement in the last month.
The question is: How long?
And then, even if Utley can rehabilitate the knee enough to return to action, will increased strain make it unplayable again?
Those questions and more have spawned melodramas such as Luis Castillo's delayed arrival to Phillies camp because of a "miscommunication" between him and his agent. Incredibly, Castillo - paid $6 million by the insolvent Mets to simply go away - stands a great chance of making the Phillies. He might even be starting at second on Friday.
Of course, Castillo is no Utley. But the one thing he does well is something Utley does well, too, and one the Phillies could miss most: He takes pitches. Without Utley and Jayson Werth - now with the Nationals - the Phillies lineup contains many free swingers. Both Castillo and Utley saw 3.99 pitches per plate appearance in 2010.
The 35-year-old Castillo will never match Utley's slugging, but he can get on base. It could provide some small solace.
Yet, if the Phillies' Four Aces deliver as expected and the offense regularly fails to support them, the absence of Utley will hang over a team with great hopes.
Unfortunately for the Phillies and their fans, progress will be immeasurable before Utley starts running and fielding on his feet. Until then, if the stepstool didn't make it north, there is always the lawn chair.
Utley's Career Statistics
Year, Team AB R H HR RBI AVG
2003, Phillies 134 13 32 2 21 .239
2004, Phillies 267 36 71 13 57 .266
2005, Phillies 543 93 158 28 105 .291
2006, Phillies 658 131 203 32 102 .309
2007, Phillies 530 104 176 22 103 .332
2008, Phillies 607 113 177 33 104 .292
2009, Phillies 571 112 161 31 93 .282
2010, Phillies 425 75 117 16 65 .275
Career 3735 677 1095 177 650 .293
Utley Among Phillies Second Basemen
At this point in his career, Chase Utley ranks behind only Fresco Thompson in career batting average on the all-time list of Phillies second basemen. Here are Utley's numbers compared to the other best-hitting second basemen.
G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO OBP SLG AVG.
Fresco Thompson 575 2332 369 700 141 32 12 219 186 126 .343 .404 .300
Chase Utley* 1006 3735 677 1095 237 28 177 650 423 669 .380 .514 .293
Bill Hallman 850 3464 590 986 148 39 10 470 248 137 NA .359 .285
Bernie Friberg 504 1620 191 452 81 12 11 155 195 195 .349 .364 .279
Manny Trillo 502 1860 197 516 85 14 19 160 111 195 .321 .369 .277
Mickey Morandini 965 3413 434 911 169 44 20 254 310 546 .334 .360 .267
Granny Hamner 672 2558 331 680 121 33 52 334 182 183 .313 .400 .266
Juan Samuel 801 3304 491 872 173 70 92 393 190 780 .309 .442 .264
Tony Taylor 1113 4066 537 1072 150 49 40 329 331 598 .325 .354 .264
Cookie Rojas 771 2764 321 713 94 8 27 222 149 228 .296 .327 .258
* active
Contact staff writer Matt Gelb at mgelb@phillynews.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/magelb.
