The Official Site of Chase Utley

Thu, Sep 2nd 2010, 11:33

Back in the Swing

All Chase Utley had seen were fleeting signs of positivity. A swing here, a swing there. Some felt good. Others, not as much.

There were few results until Wednesday, when Utley hit three doubles in a 5-1 Phillies win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Fourteen games into his return from right thumb surgery, reasonable doubt about him had surfaced.

Right?

“I don’t think there is any doubt in anybody’s mind he’s going to have a monster September and October,” rightfielder Jayson Werth said. “It’s all set up.”

“The only thing wrong with Chase,” manager Charlie Manuel said, “is he missed six or seven weeks. It’s like spring training all over. That’s all I can say.”

As for Utley? He’s quiet. Always has…

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Thu, Aug 19th 2010, 10:35

Back ahead of schedule, Utley feels good

Chase Utley did not offer any miracle healing tips Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park.

He said there is no hyperbaric chamber.

Black magic? Not a chance.

The healing power of laughter? Unlikely.

“Maybe the prognosis is too long,” he said following the Phillies’ 9-3 victory over the Giants.

The Phillies activated Utley from the 15-day disabled list before the game. Utley had been on the DL since June 29 after tearing a ligament in his right thumb. He had surgery July 1, but returned nearly two weeks ahead of schedule.

It is the second time he has returned earlier than expected following an injury. He was in the Phils’ Opening Day 2009 lineup following hip surgery in November ’08. He could have been out until May.

“A…

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Mon, Aug 16th 2010, 09:20

Utley primed to return Tuesday

Chase Utley’s postoperative timetable continues to be ahead of schedule, and the all-star second baseman remains on track to rejoin the Phillies on Tuesday in Philadelphia.

Working his way back from a torn ligament in his right thumb, Utley played the second game of a rehabilitation assignment with the single-A Clearwater Threshers on Sunday, going 0 for 3 in a 6-0 loss to Lakeland.

He is scheduled to appear in both games of a doubleheader with the Threshers on Monday, playing the first seven-inning game at second base and the second game as a designated hitter. Utley said the plan is to fly back to Philadelphia after the nightcap.

“My thumb feels good,” Utley said. “It’s not bothering me at all. I don’t…

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Thu, Aug 12th 2010, 10:28

Utley working his way back

By day, Chase Utley was taking his first swings in more than six weeks only a few hours after receiving medical clearance, then by night Placido Polanco was in the lineup extending his hitting streak to 10 games the day after leaving a game with more left elbow soreness.

At long last, the Phillies’ updated medical report offered a couple swigs of encouragement in a season where the ballclub has already seen 15 players serve 17 disabled list stints.

As usual, though, another injury arrived soon enough when fill-in first baseman Ross Gload hobbled his way off the field and out of Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers after straining his right groin running out a sixth-inning double.

Utley, who…

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Fri, Jul 2nd 2010, 09:57

Utley out eight weeks after thumb surgery

Can the Phillies survive this?

Chase Utley had surgery Thursday to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. The Phillies said their star second baseman will miss approximately eight weeks. It is a major blow to the Phils, who have six other players on the disabled list.

The list includes third baseman Placido Polanco, who will miss three to four weeks with inflammation in his left elbow.

“We’ll find a way,” Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said before Thursday’s game against the Pirates at PNC Park. “We’re not going anywhere. No one in this clubhouse is going to fold. No one is going to feel sorry in this clubhouse. We dang sure know they’re not going to feel sorry for us outside this…

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