BY SCOTT LAUBERCLEARWATER, Fla. -- About a half-hour after the Phillies came off the back fields at the Carpenter Complex today, Chase Utley stepped into the indoor batting cage and took about 60 swings off live pitching from triple-A Lehigh Valley manager Dave Huppert. At one point, midway through the session, Utley stepped out of the batter's box.
"Need a breather?" he asked Huppert.
"I'm all right," Huppert said. "As long as you are."
For a second time in three days, Utley surreptitiously took BP (well, the secret is out now) under the close supervision of athletic trainer Scott Sheridan. That's another big step for Utley, who is fielding grounders, turning double plays and looking more and more like he'll be ready to play in the season-opener April 5 at the Bank against the Atlanta Braves. When Utley underwent arthroscopic hip surgery on Nov. 24, the initial estimates were that he'd be sidelined for four to six months.
So, Chase, how did it feel?
"Same as the other day," he shrugged. "It went well."
Utley's first live BP session, after Thursday's workout, was conducted in so much secret that not even hitting coach Milt Thompson was aware. Utley probably would've taken batting practice yesterday, too, but Thompson hid his bats. Seriously. Clearly, the Phillies are encouraged by Utley's progress, but they don't want him to overdo it.
4 comments:
Utley becomes more and more of my hero every day. He is incredible. He is also Superman.
I'm worried that he is rushing himself and not listening to his body. I'd rather him miss a couple weeks of april games if it means we have at 100% for the rest of the season and next season than have him start the season 75 or 80% and miss time later in the season. Especially since we all know he won't give less than everything he has on any single pitch.
Go Chase!
Tony: I really don't think you have to worry. Everything Utley does is closely supervised by athletic trainer Scott Sheridan. If Utley isn't ready to play by April 5, I highly doubt the Phillies will allow it, no matter how much Utley tries to convince them.
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