My Fellow Phans,
There is breaking developments in the Chase Utley injury discussions and as much as I hate to say it, I saw this news coming.
First base coach Davey Lopes recently admitted that Chase Utley has been playing through an injury recently. Lopes said in an interview that "Chase has been hampered by a little bit of a knee injury."
End of story right? It was clearly evident that Utley had to be struggling with some sort of injury. Everyone in this city knows how good Utley is and we have seen him in slumps before, but not a single one even close to being as bad as the one he is in now. Having said that, this slump will be uncommon for Utley when he is healthy and playing well. Could another problem be causing this slump? As I and a few before me have said, the answer seems to be an astounding yes. So the story ends here right? Utley is revealed to be hurt and we rest him and or DL him so he can get back to being the offensive force that we all know he can and should be.
Enter Ruben Amaro. "Davey Lopes is not a doctor. He’s not our spokesman. He has given out wrong information,” Amaro said, according to the article on CSNPhilly.com. “Chase is not injured. There is no injury. I will dispute what Davey says. That is false and incorrect information.” Amaro acknolwedged that Utley has some soreness but denied the team has done an MRI on Utley's knee.
Harsh words for Mr. Lopes who seemed to be just admitting something that apparently Ruben did not want known. In short, Utley has a sore knee? It is clearly bothering him enough to effect his play and maybe an MRI should be done. I would rather see Chase Utley DLed for a couple weeks than have him continue at his downward pace. He hasn't hit a home run in God knows long and his average is slowly lowering and closing in around .250. Either way, I think its agreed that Utley should have some time off.
Utley's struggles have gotten so bad that the Yankees intentionally walked Shane Victorino yesterday to face Utley. That kind of thing would have been unheard of in the past, but not its happening. Maybe it would not be that bad of an idea to put Utley on the DL to allow him time to heal. He is the key to the offense and we will not be the same without him fully healthy and playing well.
I was just made aware of this quote from Chase concerning his injury: “I actually feel pretty good, I think there’s a little confusion and maybe a little bit of differnce of opinion in what Davey said. In my opinion, an injury is something that keeps you off the field. When you play 162 games plus over the course of the year your going to have aches and pains.. It’...s something you have to deal with. In my opinion, there’s no injury whatsoever.”
Of course Utley will not blame his struggles on his knee. His is a gamer and players like him will NEVER do that sort of thing. He would also never admit that he may need a day off or two. As much as I love Utley and his playing style, sometimes his attitude can hurt him. I think he needs an MRI to make sure he is healthy and, regardless of the outcome, some time off either on the DL or on the bench for a few games. There is not way that he will be willing to accept this treatment, but for his own good and the Phillies' offense well-being he needs to get back to his good old self.
We need you healthy Chase, even more then you may know.
Until we meet again Phillies Fans; Happy Readings and Go Phillies!
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