Phillies’ Utley returns ahead of schedule
The Boston Red Sox weren’t the only ones to get their star second baseman back as the Philadelphia Phillies’ Chase Utley returns to the line-up nearly two weeks ahead of his originally projected return. The Phillies officially activated Utley from the disabled list on 17 August when doctors had said that Utley wouldn’t be ready until possibly September.
Infielder Greg Dobbs, who had been filling in for Utley, was sent back down to the minors to open a roster spot. Dobbs fell short of Utley’s production, averaging .192 with four home runs and 14 RBIs over 76 games, proving there’s just no replacing Utley.
Utley meanwhile was averaging .277 on the season with 11 homers and 37 RBIs in 72 games this season. He was on a 15-game on-base streak before he was injured on 28 June with a torn ligament in his right thumb. He was placed on the disabled list on the 29th and underwent surgery on 1 July. He recently completed a successful rehab with the Phillies’ Class-A Clearwater team and is just in time for a huge series as the Phillies take on the San Francisco Giants. Buoyed by Utley, the Phillies have take the first two games of the series.
Both the Phillies and the Giants are battling for the wild card spot as well as battling the leaders of their divisions for the crown. The Phillies are trying to catch the Atlanta Braves while the Giants continue to chase the Padres.
The Phillies struggled into the All-Star break, falling well behind the Braves in the pennant race but caught fire after the break and have gained ground on them. The Giants have been unsuccessful in their efforts to catch the Padres and blew a huge opportunity to take the division lead before being swept by the Padres last week.
Utley’s return should provide the Phillies with a huge spark as the job now gets tougher for the Braves to hang on to their slim lead in the NL East.
Tags: