Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will begin a rehab assignment “next week or so”

Utley

Chase Utley took some ground balls at second base around 4:00 p.m. this afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.  It was a good sign for the Phillies second baseman, who has not seen game action since June 22.   Utley will be back in action in the near future.

Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News reports:

However, what happens with Utley upon his return remains to be seen.

Cesar Hernandez has performed admirably since being given the second base job on a daily basis in Utley's absence.  Utley was batting just .179 with a .532 OPS in 65 games this season.  Utley will vest a $15 million contract upon reaching 500 plate appearances in 2015.    With 249 at the moment, Utley will need to more than double that to vest the option.  

The Phillies have 68 games remaining, so Utley would have to play at a greater rate than he has so far this season.  A rehab assignment could last as much as 15 days, so the Phillies could wait to activate Utley until after the trade deadline when some more roster spots may remain.

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