Thursday, May 5, 2011
Posted: 6:10 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
Chase Utley is ready to intensify his workouts as he recovers from right knee tendinitis.
Sources tell CSNPhilly.com that barring a setback or change of plans, Utley is expected to travel to Florida on Friday and begin working out at the Phillies spring-training compound over the weekend.
Utley is likely to begin his stay in Florida by playing in extended spring-training games. The goal is to gradually work him into official Florida State League games, but that progression will be based on how his knee responds to an increased workload.
Utley has not played a game since October. The Phillies have been careful not to put any timetables on his potential return, but mid-to-late-May has always been the unspoken goal. Utley would be on target for that if all continues to go well in his rehab.
The all-star second baseman has played in a pair of simulated games at Citizens Bank Park in recent days.
MLB
Hes come out of those pretty well, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Thursday.
Amaro would not comment on Utleys timetable.
Were trying to decide what the next step is, he said.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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