BY SCOTT LAUBERJust in: Chase Utley (hip) and Pedro Feliz (lower back) will undergo surgery. Utley, it appears, will miss four to six months, which could delay his start of the 2009 season. Here's the press release, straight from the Phillies, and we'll have more later today from Ruben Amaro Jr. and athletic trainer Scott Sheridan.
***
Since the end of the World Series, Utley, 29, has had several diagnostic studies in regards to right hip symptoms that he had during the 2008 season. He has been evaluated by Phillies team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Dr. Bryan Kelly at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
Based on the diagnostic studies and examinations, it has been recommended that Utley have surgery on his right hip, which is scheduled for next week. The procedure will be an arthroscopic evaluation with treatment of any labral or bony injury. The recovery will allow for the initiation of baseball activities between three and four months, however, the total recovery time may require four to six months.
Feliz, 33, will have low back surgery today. He was on the disabled list during the 2008 season for 26 days in relation to a low back injury and had intermittent symptoms at the end of the season that deemed off-season follow-up necessary. Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles will perform the surgery, which is scheduled to be a lumbar discectomy. After surgery, Feliz will complete an eight-to-12 week rehabilitation program.
(Updated, 2:27 p.m.): Just got through with a teleconference with Amaro, Sheridan and Ciccotti. Here are a few details:
1. Sheridan said there's no way to pinpoint exactly when the injury occurred, and both Sheridan and Ciccotti said that Utley didn't exacerbate the problem by playing through it. Ciccotti described Utley as "highly functional" and said the symptoms were "intermittent" and "manageable." Sheridan said, "We managed the symptoms, and we don't think we were putting him at risk."
2. The timetable for Utley's return depends on what happens when Dr. Kelly looks at his hip. But Amaro said the Phillies expect him to be "fairly close to ready, if not ready, by opening day."
3. In the event that Utley isn't ready, Amaro said the Phillies won't pursue another second baseman during the offseason. Eric Bruntlett and Jason Donald would be candidates to open the season at second base. Bringing back Tadahito Iguchi doesn't seem to be an option. "If we had to open the season without Chase, I think we're covered fairly well," Amaro said. Donald, by the way, has won the 2008 Arizona Fall League Dernell Stenson Award for unselfishness, hard work, and leadership.
4. Dr. Kelly will perform the surgery next week in New York. A definite day hasn't been set. Kelly, who examined Utley earlier in the offseason, operated on Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell, who had a similar condition that prevented him from playing in the ALCS.
Much more later.
***
In other news, right-handed pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Drew Naylor, lefty Sergio Escalona and catcher Joel Naughton have been added to the 40-man roster.
***
(Update, 5:52 p.m.): Ordinarily, I'd do a separate entry about this, but I don't want to distract from the Utley conversation. So, here goes: In a swap of former first-round picks, the Phillies have dealt outfield prospect Greg Golson to the Rangers for outfield prospect John Mayberry. Mayberry, 24, split the 2008 season between double-A Frisco and triple-A Oklahoma and hit a combined .264 with 38 doubles, 20 home runs, 71 RBIs and 10 steals in 135 games. Golson, 23, batted .282 with 13 home runs, 60 RBIs and 23 steals at double-A Reading. According to Amaro, the Phillies preferred Mayberry's power to Golson's speed.
More on Golson, and Utley, and Feliz, and everything else in tomorrow's News Journal.
15 comments:
Chase Utley is getting what he deserves. He deliberately attempted to injure Nationals catcher Jesus Flores, knocking him out for the last month. He went after Braves catcher Brian McCann with an elbow to the head, causing him to lose time with a concussion. He is a dirty player and he deserves every piece of bad luck he ends up with. You can't keep trying to hurt opposing players without it coming back to haunt you.
Kyle Kendrick, you're next.
Dude, you are a joke. It's baseball get over it. He never meant to hurt anyone. Maybe you should watch more baseball and understand the game instead of saying stupid like that. World Champs '08 and you're just a hater.
Victorino ran over McCann. Get your story straight.
And hey, your Mets could use some players with the heart and determination of Utley.
Been a Phillies fan for 40 years, and always liked Utley. He lost my respect with his mouth at the Series parade. There were young kids in that crowd, and I was outraged at the adolescent use of the F bomb. What a loser as far as character is concerned. Its not just about performance, its also about character and setting a good example for kids and adults. No class!
you are an idiot if you think utley "tries" to hurt opposing players...its called PLAYING HARD, maybe your Nats should try it sometime...in utleys case, playin=g hard wins titles...go back to the cellar, we will be at the top if you need us...world champs '08
Getting a little hip surgery - no cutting involved. Will be ready toward the beginning of the year. World Series ring. Huge contract.
Yep, he's getting what he deserves.
For everyone bad mouthing Utley, I hope your next.
That would be "hope you're next" not "your". Let's learn the language, people.
I understand that when told he would require surgery and that he would be out 4 to 6 months, Chase was heard uttering, "No f&cking way."
taking your kids into the mob at Citizen's Bank Park on a parade day is irresponsible to begin with. don't blame chase utley.
Chase Utley: the dirty player so dirty that he knew his only way to the championship was to knock out Jesus Flores, without whom the Nationals were unable to thwart the Phillies division chances as they would have done, by winning 30 of their last 25 games....Chase Utley: so dirty that he ran into Brian McCann in a Shave Victorino mask. Dirty!
Matt S? How do you win 30 out of your last 25 games? 30-(-5) is a good W-L record I guess...The Nats were really going to thwar the Phils had Jesus Flores been there..Flores has a nice future but I would hardly call him a gamebreaker yet..Especially until he learns to play catcher the way you are supposed to..
Im sure those little kids are never going to hear the f word in their life...moron, and im sure chase utley and his world series ring doesn't care about the feelings of the worst, most inept run team in baseball
"Getting a little hip surgery - no cutting involved."
A 4 to 6 month recovery time indicates to me that this is serious surgery, and is indeed something to worry about.
The Phillies have won exactly two world series in 120 years and found itself needing to deliberately injure players on a team 30 games out of first place and admittedly rebuilding to do it.
Yeah, that's a standard of excellence to admire.
The Phillies are already on the decline and you aren't more than a month away from your once-every-60-years World Championship. A cheap shot artist filthy mouthed second baseman coming off hip surgery is your alleged 'star'.
Can't wait for baserunners to break up a double play in '09. National league baserunners: Go for the hip. Check out Victorino's dirty slide into JJ Hardy in the NLDS for your example.
Post a Comment