The image above is almost sad. Chase Utley sitting on the bench as the Phillies took on the Atlanta Braves last night is not something to which Utley or Phillies fans are accustomed. But, Utley's .103 batting average this late in the season made it almost impossible to avoid. And, it might not be just one day, either.
Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg suggested that Utley may not see action until Friday in this Jim Salisbury column on CSNPhilly.com:
“There’s something to that,” Sandberg said. “Sometimes you can take a break and get away from mental grind and the mental work he puts into his daily routine.
“I feel for the guy because of everything he puts into it. He just hasn’t had any luck. I told him to take a little break. Other than that, it’s tough to talk mechanics or anything like that because he’s hitting line drives and putting balls in play.”
Sandberg said he was “leaning” toward giving Utley another day off on Wednesday. The Phillies are off on Thursday. Under that plan, Utley would get three days off before returning to the lineup Friday night at home against the Mets.
Utley's off time means playing time for Cesar Hernandez, who has been playing well.
Hernandez went 1 for 2 in Utley's absence, contributing one of only three hits from the Phillies' lineup against Braves starter Shelby Miller. Hernandez started the last three days at three different positions and has been on base regularly. In those three games, Hernandez is two for seven, but has walked five times. While the batting average in three days is .286, his on base percentage is .583.
Utley, as usual, said nothing to anyone.
