Chase Utley shows improvements in drills as he performs work-outs for second consecutive day-MLB
Second baseman Chase Utley spends time doing infield drills to check where he stands in terms of appearing in the season. His injured right knee has kept him out since February. It has not allowed him play even a single game of the season. On Wednesday and
Thursday, he took the rounds of the field and made plays.
Utley is feeling far better and has come a long way in his recovery from his injury. Pockets of trouble is still there in the knee but the fact it is not as severe as it was at the start gives reason for the Phillies to brace for his entry.
“There’s a little discomfort, but that’s a part of the whole process,” he said. “Last year when I started taking ground balls, it was a little uncomfortable as well, but the more I did it, the better I became at it.”
Despite all this, no time-line is there about his comeback, neither from Utley nor from the Phillies’ management. Ideally, the Phillies will want to have him in the line-up at the earliest. Since rehab games are essential, they cannot risk hurrying him in
to the line-up.
With couple of more work-out days, he will be sent for rehab games. By proving his fitness there, he can be right back in the Majors. However for this, swings and composure on the plate have to be spot on and be reflective of his ability to adjust to the
Majors quickly.
Concerns have been shown regarding an impact of aftershocks of the injury on his performance. They say, he may not be the same Utley who has been part and parcel of their 2008 World Series Championship victory.
In this context, Utley will have to show something special to earn confidence of the manager Charlie Manuel.
“It’s good to wake up feeling pretty good,” said Utley. “That’s a good sign.”
For Utley, every day is turning out to be a big stride toward his outing in the season.
If progress keeps at this pace, then days are not far when he will be striking hits for the Phillies in their remaining games in the regular season.
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