The Phillies open their season in a little more than one week, and they will do so without the right side of their starting infield.
Ryan Howard continues to rehab from his Achilles surgery.
But they also will do an instant replay of sorts with starting second baseman Chase Utley. You might remember Utley missed the first 46 games of last season with chronic pain in his knees.
He’s having the same problem again this year, although the problem is now actually worse in his left knee.
Utley met the media on Sunday amid all manner of rumor and innuendo, a situation that is fomented because of his intense privacy and the team’s failure to get a handle on just what his condition was and relate that to their fans.
I like Chase Utley. I have a T-shirt with his name emblazoned on the back.
But this act is wearing thin. I don’t mean the fact that he is hurt again. That happens. He has bad knees. That is an unfortunate side effect of what Utley does for a living as well as the way he plays the game.
But it’s pretty clear that someone here was not being exactly honest about Utley’s condition. All we kept hearing all spring was that Utley was days away from getting his first action in a Grapefruit League game.
The next thing we knew Utley was on a plane to Phoenix to see a rehab specialist.
Now Utley is admitting he’s not going to be ready for opening day, but that he fully expects to play this season. When, however, seems to be anyone’s guess. Utley made it clear he’s not going to rush anything.
Swell.
Utley has made a fortune as one of the best second basemen in Phillies history. The team still owes him $30 million over the next two years.
I don’t think it’s too much to ask for him or the team to level with the fans about his condition. It should have been done weeks ago.
Now Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is trying to clear the air about what the team knew and when about Utley's condition. You can about it here. It's something he should have done a month ago.
So, what do you say Phillies fans?
Let’s have a little over/under on Utley. I’ll put the line at 30 games missed.
I’m going over. What do you think?
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