Comments on: Chase Utley to begin minor league rehab assignment tomorrow

By: ebergevin

ebergevin — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:11:04 +0000

Assuming he’s even capable of playing the outfield. You’re asking a guy who’s never played outfield in his life to play the outfield. I feel that first base would certainly be the much safer option. Chronic knees tend not to go away hence the “chronic”, Amaro had an interesting take on it as well:

http://zozone.mlblogs.com/2012/06/01/would-the-outfield-save-utleys-knees/

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 17:41:24 +0000

Damn (pie) lovers have no shame, do they? No meal is safe from the evil (pie) crusade. CAKE will prevail!!!!

By: CJ

CJ — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 17:09:10 +0000

he must be a closet pie lover. Yet another reason why cake reigns supreme: cake varieties be legitimately be consumed during any meal (dessert included of course).

By: CJ

CJ — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 16:28:04 +0000

I don’t think that running is the problem, else he wouldn’t even be able to run the bases at this point, and they seem comfortable enough with the to let him play in extended ST games and now DH in the minors. Running isn’t the issue. It’s the side to side movement that’s giving him trouble, which is pretty important at 2b. Not so much in OF or even at 1st.

By: ebergevin

ebergevin — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 16:07:20 +0000

I was thinking the same. Who knows how long Howard is going to be out for? Latest reports have it sometime after the All-Star break, but that could mean July, August, September? So it’s no sure thing at this point. The Phillies’ first base collective has struggled mightily this season at the dish so it makes sense to put Utley at first base where he won’t be ranging left or right too much and won’t have to turn any double plays. I would imagine that outfield is out of the question because the constant running in the outfield may be too much for his knees.

By: CJ

CJ — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 15:06:41 +0000

it’d be nice if he can at least play 1st until howard gets back. If playing a quick twitch position like 2nd causes him that much pain, when Howard comes back he can at least come off the bench with some pop or spell howard or LF on occasion. They’re just desperate for bats at this point.

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:55:41 +0000

How can anyone hate pancakes?

By: mj1818

mj1818 — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 04:40:01 +0000

Speaking of triple A…. The Charlotte Knights the affiliate of the White Sox just got approved for a new stadium!!

By: captainwisdom8888

captainwisdom8888 — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 02:34:05 +0000

im gonna consider any production from utley this season as a gift. i havent seen that signature utley “hack” in like 3 or 4 years. when he was on, i dont know who got the bat through the zone quite the form or fashion that he did

By: ihatepancakes

ihatepancakes — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 02:05:47 +0000

Yes! This will take us from bad to mediocre!

By: ebergevin

ebergevin — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:08:23 +0000

From what I’ve seen he’s been pretty solid thus far at the dish, but that’s in extended spring training. You’re absolutely right about fielding though. It’s not sure whether or not he’ll be able to handle that. I hope he can make a successful return because he’s great player and a great person.

By: sasquash20

sasquash20 — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:04:52 +0000

We need some form of Utley back in the worst way. Injuries are killing the Phils. Next off season the Phils need to have someone monitoring him. He needs to let everyone in the organization in on what is going on with him in the off season. Because these extended off seasons he has had the last two seasons is a joke. Be a pro Chase, talk to your trainers and coaches for a change.

By: randygnyc

randygnyc — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 23:43:38 +0000

You can’t assume he won’t have any setbacks. He’s been batting a lot (don’t know successfully or not), but he hasn’t been fielding, which is apparently what causes him pain. Time will tell how the daily, day to day grind effects him.