Saturday, May 7, 2011
Posted: 5:52 p.m.Updated: 6:09 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
Chase Utleys first game action of the season was a success on Saturday.
The Phillies second baseman, recovering from patellar tendinitis in his right knee, went 5 for 7 with two solo home runs while playing for the Phils extended spring training team against a team of Toronto Blue Jays farmhands in Dunedin, Fla.
It felt pretty good just to get back out between the lines, Utley told reporters after the game. So far, so good. We'll see how it responds tomorrow and go from there."
The day after heavy work has been important throughout Utleys recovery. The teams medical staff evaluates how Utley bounces back before he is cleared for more work. Sunday is an off day for the extended spring training club, but Utley will do work and get treatment. If his knee responds well, he will likely play again on Monday.
Phillies officials have quietly eyed mid-to-late May as a possible return for Utley, but there is no official timetable because of the unpredictability of the injury. He is literally day-to-day depending on how he feels.
MLB
Utley faced all lefthanders during Saturdays game.
It went OK, he said. It was good to get some timing back and some swings in there, see some live pitching. We're just going to keep it going."
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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