Chase Utley is on the verge of starting season opening day on disabled list - MLB
After all the optimism shown about his place in season opener, Chase Utley finds his way back to a specialist, seeking treatment for his knee injury. Disappointed he must be, however, even bigger concern for him going to be views Philadelphia Phillies’ manager
Charlie Manuel holds about his come back to the season.
Amongst reports stating his possible late entry in season, manager has sent cautions across fans as he believes his injury is too severe to let any expected comeback timing come through. Even he went on to suggest that the kind of injury he has is of a peculiar
nature: as soon as it heals, it turns up again just as one starts to feel good about it, putting the player back to an earlier position
In light of a fact, almost same injury saw him start last season on disabled list and as same is likely to be the case with him this season, as the manager’s apprehensions appear fairly realistic.
“I’m concerned with Chase,” Manuel said. “I’m always concerned with Chase. Once we get him to where we want him to be he can play. But I don’t know when that’s going to be. I want him to be a real good percentage. Will he ever be 100 percent? I don’t know.
His problem is not going away. More than likely, it might never go away.”
Phillies are going to miss him heavily in the season given his RBI record of 694, career batting average of .290 and even impressive is the fact that he has hit 188 home-runs. Although another promising rookie Freddy Galvis is going to take his position
on second base, it is hard to expect him to be equally effective.
Phillies’ general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. clarified that the club wanted Utley to take a few days off and get his plate confidence back, but as his injury worsened as days passed by, his opening the season on the disabled list became destined.
Missing the openers for two consecutive years is certainly going to be hard on him as he undergoes his treatment. However if he can prove his fitness during the season, as the general manager hoped, he can return to the regular season anytime albeit under
a risk of not seeing his side making to the playoffs in the first place.
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