As Chase Utley continued to play coy with reporters during the past week regarding his reason for missing the Phillies’ first few spring training games, many baseball enthusiasts began to speculate that something may be wrong with Utley.
Well, that ‘something’ was discovered after an MRI showed that Utley is suffering from patellar tendonitis in his right knee.
For now, Utley will remain inactive during spring training and continue to watch from the dugout as his team progresses into their Grapefruit league schedule.
“At this point, it’s better to be safe than sorry,” said Utley to reporters in Clearwater.
Utley is coming off a down year in 2010, batting just .275 with 16 home runs and 65 RBI’s. Between the struggles from a year and the early battles that Utley is currently dealing with, the 2011 season is definitely not getting off to a good start for the five-time All-Star selection.
However, with no timetable for return, Pete Orr has to be excited at the opportunity he has to prove himself to the Phillies’ front office and coaching staff.
With an RBI in yesterday’s game, Orr appears to be improving his chances of making the Opening Day roster.
We need some challenges to make it interesting.
How long would you estimate in recovery time?
I hate to say it, but I think Utley’s best years may be behind him. If his production at the plate is in the same realm as last years, and with the subtraction of Werth, the Phillies could really struggle at the plate this year.
No surprise here,
He hasn’t been right or healthy in over 2 years, which was about the time
he and other Phillies (Ibanez,Romero,Rollins) all stopped taking….
Wish him a speedy recovery but this tendinitis is somehthing he will have the rest of his career as well as that hip problem..
How about a Trade now to Texas Rangers
Phils send P Joe Blanton to the Rangers for IF Michael Young..
(shift Polanco to 2B and play Young at 3B)
This is a shame. With Utley, Victorino, Rollins having declining statistics over the last couple of years, you don’t want to see one of them sit out the pre-season. It is doubtful that all of a sudden on opening day, he is going to be playing at an all-star level. A shame!
If there’s one good note is that surgery has yet to be discussed…
Paulman, if you’re implying that those guys all took steroids you’re an idiot. The steroid scandal has been in full bloom for the past five years. If they were to stop “taking” it would have been then. Rollins and Ibanez are just old(er). We never got the full disclosure on Romero. Utley has just had a bad case of injuries his entire career.
Probalby not Steroids but something..
But since Romero was busted and served his 50 games suspension 2 Springs ago, Romero,Ibanenz,Rollins and Utlely have all not been the same and continue to come up with these minor injuries.muscle pulls,Hip and olbique problens that seem to come from taking Steroids/HGH/Illiegal Supplements or wahtever you want to call them..
Here’s another thing too. Utley is the most overrated athlete in Philadelphia and he continues to get away with it because he’s white.. It is what it is …
The only thing that can stop the Phillies is injuries and I’m mean serious injuries to their big stars, Utley, Howard, Rollins. I don’t know what’s going on with Utley. but I don’t understand why he’s been wearing down so much.
Paulman daydreaming about being the great liberator again… A man of the people.
Here’s my take on the 2011 Phillies
The Starting 8 Line-up is Weaker and too left-handed
The Phillies Defense is Weaker (especially in LF/RF & 1B)
The Philles Bench is about the Weakest in the MLB (it just is,look it up)
The Phillies Bullpen is strong when Healthy but has history of recent injuries
Bottom line, take away the Starting Pitching and this team is not verty good if you ask me and may struggle just to make the Playoffs in the very weak NL East
You have 4-5 players all on their way down as far as Career Stats go
Ibanez,Victorino,Rollins, Polanco and Utley are beyond their primes so that’s
5/8 of your every day lineup.. it will be a long,hot summer in Philly this year
Trade Blanton and possibly Kendrick and acquire some depth. I think Amaro will acquire someone or two regardless of payroll.
**Trade Alert****
Phils Trade RHP J Blanton to the Texas Rangers for IF Michael Young
Phil’s can slide Polanco to 2B (his best position) and Young can play 3B
*********************************************************************************
nice job paulie, “utley overrated and gets away with it in Philly because he is white”, paulie calling out Philly fans as racists
I will always call them as I see them Jake…
Most Philly fans think Utley poops out “Gold Bricks” and can do no wrong..
He is a very good player, but his body is breaking down on him on a regular basis anymore. He is not the player he was in 2007/2008.. It’s a shame, but it is what it is..