Despite an 0 for 9 performance in two nights in a rehab assignment at AA Reading, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley may be returning to Philadelphia. After just two games, Utley feels he is ready and could play tonight when the Phillies take on the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park.
While Utley did not get a hit in two games with the Reading Fightin' Phils, he made a "leaping grab" that took a hit away from Travis Shaw of the Portland Sea Dogs. It was enough for Utley to declare himself ready to the Inquirer's Marc Narducci who traveled to Reading to cover Utley's rehab:
“I think it’s a possibility but I have to talk to those guys and see what we all want to do,” Utley said referring to manager Charlie Manuel and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.
One interesting thought that Pat Scott on our Facebook page suggested: could Delmon Young be the one who goes when Utley is activated? Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. recently said that the Phillies could "cut bait" with Young if he failed to put himself together. Young went 0 for 3 after Amaro's comments.
Cutting Young could leave fan favorite Michael Martinez on the active roster and let the Phillies play the better defensive, more offensively productive John Mayberry until a more suitable option presents itself.
