Chase Utley Out for Phillies Weekend Series
By Editorial Staff
After getting beaned earlier in the week, Chase Utley has been declared out for the Phillies Weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Utley didn’t travel with the Phils to Milwaukee, instead remaining behind to meet with a concussion specialist.
In the 6th inning of Wednesday night’s series finale with the Atlanta Braves, Utley took a fastball off the back of his helmet. Utley barely moved, as he later said he didn’t think the ball was coming for his head. You can actually see the All-Star ask the home plate umpire if the ball had actually hit him.
Utley is considered one of the tougher players around the league, and this just seemed to be another reason why he’s earned that label. Utley took first base and appeared to be perfectly fine.
But, after taking the field in the 7th, Utley said that he started getting headaches. Because this is usually a sign of a concussion, the Phillies immediately removed Utley from the game.
Philadelphia didn’t want Utley to fly with the club to Milwaukee. Instead he will go through concussion tests and meet with specialists to determine the severity of the injury and when he can return.
With their lead in the NL East currently sitting at 10 games, the Phillies have the ability to take a very cautious route with Utley. The club’s main concern at this point is getting Utley back on the field in time for him to be effective come October.
Utley has already missed a significant stretch this season, as the second baseman didn’t make his 2011 debut for the Phillies until the end of May. Over his 88 games played this season, Utley has put up a line of .262/.344/.441 with 10 home runs, 20 doubles, 41 RBI’s and 13 stolen bases.
For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out That Balls Outta Here.