Ryan Howard and Chase Utley set to begin baseball activities soon

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard and second baseman Chase Utley will be heading to Clearwater soon and begin to take part in baseball activities according to Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Chase Utley and Ryan Howard hope to be on the field together again soon. (MANDATORY CREDIT: US PRESSWIRE)

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro said Howard will be going first even though the wound, suffered from an infection around his Achilles, is not fully healed.

It is expected than Howard will arrive at the facilities in Clearwater on Monday. He will first take grounders on the field. He will probably not begin hitting until a few days after he begins workouts.

Howard is happy with the progression.

“My tendon feels great and feels strong,” Howard said on Friday. “The biggest  thing is building up the strength around the rest of my foot, my ankle, calf and  getting comfortable with that and getting in and doing baseball stuff.”

Amaro also commented that Utley could arrive in Clearwater later next week. Utley has been on the shelf due to chronic pain in both knees. Amaro claims that Utley is coming along nicely and has been working hard to strengthen his knees.

The Phillies can really use both men in the lineup. Without them the team has a combined .357 slugging percentage and a .650 OPS.

For more on the Phillies, check out That Ball’s Outta Here.

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