Phillies' Utley plays again for Clearwater; Amaro says Wednesday call-up not happening

Chase Utley will not be with the Phillies when the team begins a nine-game homestand Wednesday.
Chase Utley will not be with the Phillies when the team begins a nine-game homestand Wednesday.
By Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: May 17, 2011

ST. LOUIS - Chase Utley has had more than 30 at-bats in the minors during his rehab for patellar tendinitis in his right knee, has played in the field on back-to-back days twice, and has experienced no setbacks.

But he will not be with the Phillies when the team begins a nine-game homestand Wednesday.

"Let's put it this way: He's not coming to Philadelphia in the middle of the week," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "He needs at-bats."

Utley played the whole game, eight innings, for the first time Monday for single-A Clearwater. He was 1 for 4 with a first-inning RBI single in a Florida State League game against the Pirates' single-A affiliate in Bradenton, Fla.

Counting extended spring training games, Utley has 32 total at-bats in Florida.

A clarification is needed: Utley did not play nine innings Sunday, as the official box score from Bradenton indicated. He played just seven, according to Phillies officials.

Amaro indicated that even if Utley was totally healthy already, which he is not yet, the GM still wouldn't bring him up. The team wants Utley to go through this process much like it was spring training because he didn't face any live pitching in February or March.

"He needs more at-bats," Amaro said. "Even if he was 100 percent, he doesn't have enough at-bats right now."

The Phillies must make a decision on Utley by May 30, when his 20-day rehab clock expires. It's still likely the second baseman is back in the majors before then.

But while the team continues to lack offensive punch, the GM is not itching to make a move.

"When he's ready, he's ready. I want him to play for the Phillies as soon as possible, only if he's ready physically and baseball-wise. No reason to bring him up until he's ready to go."

 

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