As we continue to play the “hurry up and wait” game with Chase Utley’s knee, there is finally some kinda sorta good news on his injury. According to GM Ruben Amaro, Jr., Utley could start jogging “in the next couple of days.”
“If he starts running, that’s a big step,” Amaro said. “He hasn’t even jogged. He’s done some underwater stuff. But we haven’t gotten him to run normal resistance. Once he does that, it (his return) could happen fast. But it might take a while for him to get there.”
Okay, so that’s hardly “he’s coming off the DL” tomorrow news, but it could be encouraging. Of course, that all depends on how his knee reacts to the increased work. If he can run at full speed without pain, then a rehab assignment could happen sooner rather than later.
He’s been able to do some light fielding, and there were a couple reports out recently that he’s starting to look a little better out in the field.
“I think we’re going to get him back. It’s just a matter of when,” Amaro said. “We’re willing to be very patient with him. I want him for July-August-September, hopefully October.
“If we stay in this thing, hold our own offensively, it’s like making a trade, like getting a quality bat in the middle of the year. I don’t have a whole lot of flexibility to do much of anything else.”
im sure utley will be back at some point. the other question is, IF the current lineup keeps producing like this what do you do with Utley once he comes back? Victorino all of a sudden is hitting like a lead off hitter, slapping the ball everywhere. Rollins has no RBI on the season, but has hit the ball pretty well and seems comfortable in the 3 spot. i would put Utley at 5 against right handers, with Ben Fran 6 and Raul 7. then switch Utley and Francisco against lefties.