The Official Site of Chase Utley

Mon, Mar 16th 2009, 11:18

Utley makes a second spring appearance

Chase Utley received a standing ovation before leading off for the Phillies yesterday, as the public address system at Bright House Field played the chorus from John Fogerty’s song “Centerfield” – Put me in coach, I’m ready to play, today.

Actually, Utley was ready to play Saturday, when the all-star second baseman made an unannounced appearance in a minor-league intrasquad game. Utley underwent right hip surgery on Nov. 24, and had not seen game action since.

Because the Phillies had said many times that he would not make his first appearance until this week, Utley’s Saturday start was a surprise – although manager Charlie Manuel acknowledged that afternoon that the intrasquad appearance had been planned for several days.

Yesterday, Utley made his Grapefruit League debut in full view of fans, reporters, television cameras and an opposing team, going hitless in two at-bats and playing four innings at second base during the Phillies’ 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Utley, 30, said he awoke yesterday morning feeling minimal effects from the intrasquad action. “The whole thing was to see how I felt today, and I felt good,” he said. “I guess I was pleasantly surprised that it felt pretty good.”

The original post-surgery prognosis for Utley’s return was four to six months. Though this weekend’s appearances came slightly less than four months after the procedure, Utley insisted that he was not rushing back to the team.

“That’s a pretty big window,” he said. “We’re right on track. . . . It’s still in the back of my mind. I imagine it might be like that for a little while. But as long as I continue to feel good out there, I will continue to go out there.”

Continue reading….