Philadelphia Phillies Ryan Howard and Chase Utley could return in June

According to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley could return to the Philadelphia Phillies in June. Although there is still no timetable for their returns, Knobler writes, “…there’s a growing feeling that the two key Phillies could join the team sometime in June.”

Ryan Howard is currently taking live batting practice, and his return will happen sooner than Utley’s. The first baseman has not played in any games yet, but it is encouraging to see him take batting practice. He should be back in June, but things are less certain for the star second baseman.

Although Chase Utley is still with the MLB team and is taking batting practice, the 2B has only just started doing some glovework and taking grounders. Knee injuries are especially tricky, so the Phillies are exercising necessary caution with Utley’s workload, and they eased up on the amount of activity he took yesterday after Utley took grounders for a couple of days.

The Philadelphia Phillies sorely need both players back soon, because their offense is just awful. Hunter Pence is trying to carry this team power-wise, and the Phillies are viewed as potential sellers for the first time in a while. There are rumors that they are looking at Kevin Youkilis, and the rumors of them being sellers will be cleared as soon as Utley and Howard get back and start producing.

As much as they would love to have both stars back soon, there is no sense is jeopardizing their future by bringing them back too quickly. This is mainly true for Chase Utley, but the Phillies don’t want to bring either of them back until they are both ready to produce at a high level.

Once they both finish their rehab assignments, the picture on both star hitters will be clearer. Howard should return next month, but Utley will likely be on the shelf for longer. The Phillies hope that isn’t the case, since they could really use his high amount of offensive production at second.

At the end of the piece, Knobler mentions the possibility of the Phillies re-signing Roy Oswalt, but he also notes that the team would have to trade Joe Blanton to do it.

That all depends on how much value the team can get out of Blanton and how much Oswalt will cost (that depends on who is going after him). The Phillies will consider doing this, but this is the least of their worries at this point.

There is one question I would like to pose to you guys. Do you think the Phillies should pursue a trade for Kevin Youkilis with Joe Blanton? If not Youk, then which hitter?