Nine straight games of three or fewer runs has created frustration - neither Howard nor Jimmy Rollins stuck around to field questions about a sluggish offense. Pitching efforts, such as Roy Oswalt's seven innings of one-run ball, are wasted regularly. Injuries and ineffectiveness have forced Manuel to be inventive - he has used 30 different batting orders in 46 games.
And, well, the Phillies were 28-18 without, arguably, their best player.
"It should add a lot to the lineup," Oswalt said of Utley's addition.
That could be understating it slightly. In the last two days, Manuel has used Wilson Valdez (owner of a .551 OPS in 114 plate appearances) as his No. 2 hitter. When Manuel inserts Utley third, he will likely shift Placido Polanco to the second spot, where he succeeded during the first month of the season.
"That has to help us," Manuel said.
Of course, the Phillies do not know what version of Utley they possess. Utley arrived at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday morning after 16 days in Florida which served as an accelerated spring training for the second baseman, who has not played a major-league game since last October. The patellar tendinitis, bone inflammation and chondromalacia in Utley's right knee made simple baseball activities into events and raised numerous questions about the star's future.
So before Sunday's game, Utley sat down with Manuel and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. to further discuss a management plan for his right knee. Utley has played through pain before without reporting it to team officials. Manuel does not anticipate that problem again. (Utley did not make himself available for comment.)
"He'll be honest with me," Manuel said. "There will be times when he gets days off. Chase will be honest with me. He'll be totally honest with me."
Why?
"Because I know him," Manuel said. "His word's good."
No, but really, can you trust him?
