Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com has the good news on Phillies second baseman Chase Utley, who made it through eight innings Saturday evening in his final rehab game with the Single-A Clearwater Threshers:
Utley is now expected to travel to Philadelphia for the final stage of his rehab assignment. That is likely to include his playing in one more minor-league game, probably Tuesday at Triple A Lehigh Valley, before being activated for Wednesday’s game against Pittsburgh – provided there are no setbacks.
The 33-year-old has been on the disabled list since the end of spring training because of a degenerative issue behind his left kneecap.
Utley batted .259/.344/.425 with 11 home runs and 44 RBI in 103 regular-season games last year before going 7-for-16 (.438/.571/.688) in Philadelphia’s NLDS loss to the Cardinals. The Phillies -- currently 8 1/2 games back in the National League East -- will hope that he can provide a serious offensive spark.