Chase Utley Injury Update: No Timetable on Utley’s Return

The Philadelphia Phillies have endured a sluggish start to their season, thanks in large part to their impotent offense.  One of their missing big bats, Chase Utley, has been sidelined since the spring while dealing with the effects of an ongoing knee ailment.  While Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said yesterday that Utley’s improving, there is still no timetable on the second baseman’s return.

Amaro told Todd Zolecki of MLB.com yesterday that Utley’s “strength seems to be improving”.  Amaro added that his veteran second baseman is moving forward, but that the Phillies are still unsure when Utley will be able to return.

Initially the Phillies expected Utley to be ready to go when Opening Day 2012 rolled around.  Utley sat out most of the spring to rest his knees, but he was never able to regain enough confidence in his condition to play in an exhibition game.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has questioned if Utley will ever truly be free of his current knee problems.  Utley’s gone through a stretching and exercising routine that will hopefully allow him to avoid surgery which would sideline him for an even more extended period of time.

In Utley’s absence, rookie Freddy Galvis has manned second base for the Phillies.  Galvis has been able to hold his own, but without Utley and fellow All-Star infielder Ryan Howard, the Phillies currently find themselves toward the bottom of the league in runs, OPS and total bases.

For more on the Phillies be sure to check out That Balls Outta Here.

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