Saturday, February 26, 2011
Posted: 2:33 p.m.
By Jim SalisburyCSNPhilly.com
CLEARWATER, Fla.Chase Utley is not expected to play when the Phillies open the home portion of their Grapefruit League schedule Sunday against the Yankees.
According to manager Charlie Manuel, Utley has been feeling general soreness in his legs and knees. Manuel has insisted that this is normal for early spring training and that Utley is not hurt."He's getting better," Manuel said. "He's fine. Hejust has some soreness in his legs. He'll be better in a couple of days."
Utley did not make the trip to Tampa for Saturdays game against the Yankees. He stayed back in Clearwater for workouts. The second baseman was all smiles as he spoke good-naturedly with a couple of reporters in the Phillies clubhouse before his workout. However, he would not reveal much about his condition.
If theres cause for concern youll be the first to know, he said coyly.
Utleys health is always a bit of a concern. He was limited by a hip injury that required surgery after the 2008 season. Last season, he missed significant time after tearing a ligament in his thumb while diving into second base. The injury required surgery.
Utley has shown no outward signs of injury this spring. As usual, he was in camp early and looks strong after adding about 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason.
Rollins to play Sunday
Jimmy Rollins was scratched from Saturdays lineup because he had missed workouts the previous two days while attending a White House function.I just want him to practice today, Manuel said. Hell be in there Sunday.
B Game
Reliever Danys Baez camp is not off to a good start. He was tagged for five hits and five runs in two-thirds of an inning in a B game on Saturday morning. The Phils were beaten, 8-1, by Toronto in that game.
Visit from the Hall
Jeff Idelson, president of the Baseball Hall of Fame, visited the Phillies' dugout before Saturdays game against the Yankees in Tampa.
Idelson had dinner with Phillies front office man Pat Gillick on Friday night. Gillick, who led three teams, including the Phillies, to World Series titles during his time as a general manager, was elected to the Hall in December. Gillick will be enshrined into the Hall during induction ceremonies July 24 in Cooperstown.
MLB
Its a very well deserved and important election because hes the first team architect to go into the Hall of Fame in quite some time, Idelson said. Pats right there with Branch Rickey, George Weiss and Ed Barrow. He used player development and scouting to build three championship teams.
Idelson has seen many Phillies fans visit Cooperstown in recent years.
The wave that the Phillies have been on last few years, were seeing lot more sea of red than we have in the past, he said. The Phillies have been generous with the Hall of Fame and allowing fans to share in their success.
Roy Halladay donated several items from his perfect game and playoff no-hitter last year. There are also items from the Phils World Series championship in 2008.
Its nice to be a Phillies fan these days, Idelson said.
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