Champion Phils may lose Utley first 2 months
Well, all that good karma surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies and the city’s long-awaited championship seems to have vanished already.
The Phils announced Thursday that second baseman Chase Utley, by far their best all-around player, will need right hip surgery that potentially could keep him out until the first week of June.
Since the World Series ended, Utley has had several diagnostic studies on his right hip, which bothered him during the 2008 season.
Over the first eight weeks of the season, through June 3, Utley led the major leagues in home runs (21), and batted .321, with a .408 on-base percentage, .684 slugging percentage and 53 RBIs — the second-most in the National League.
He hit.292 in the second half of the season, but his power numbers fell off. He had 53 extra-base hits, 25 homers, in his first 94 games, but 25 extra-base hits (eight homers) in the final 65 games. He managed to lead all second basemen with 33 home runs and 104 RBIs overall but hit just.220 in the postseason.
Doctors have recommended that Utley undergo surgery on his right hip. That procedure, described as an “arthroscopic evaluation with treatment of any labral or bony injury,” will take place next week.
Utley reportedly would be able to resume baseball activities in three to four months — meaning sometime during spring training, but possibly not until the week before opening day. However, full recovery time is projected at between four and six months. Four months from next Monday is March 24, nine days before the end of spring training. Five months is April 24, which would cause him to miss 16 games. Six months is May 24, which would cause him to miss 43 games.
The options to replace Utley would seem to be prospect Jason Donald or utilityman Eric Bruntlett.
The team also announced that third baseman Pedro Feliz will need back surgery and faces 8 to 12 weeks of rehab. He is expected ready for spring training.
Believe it or not, spring training is just a few months away. Check back soon at WagerWeb.com for 2009 MLB futures.
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