Philly Sports Chatter

Utley to Third Base is Right Call

Moving Chase Utley to third base would fill a huge hole for Philadelphia Phillies next year.

  The greatest second baseman in Philadelphia Phillies history might make a position change in 2013. Chase Utley started fielding ground balls at third base before Wednesday night's game. And hopefully, he keeps doing it. Because Utley's future with the Phillies is at third base. The move makes perfect sense. Utley, who has been on the disabled list the past two years because of degenerated knees, would be ideal at third where he wouldn't have to take such a pounding from going to his left and right all the time and from having base runners trying to take him out. More important, the move may keep Utley in a Phils uniform for years to come if he's successful. Utley will be playing in the last year of his contract in 2013 so he's doing the …

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Dino Ciliberti

10:11 am on Sunday, September 2, 2012

Yes, Utley's numbers have been in decline because he's also been injured. Give him a full healthy season and then judge his output. Frandsen can't hold a candle to Utley, he's no more than a utility player. Come on, Utley at 10 percent is better than most players.   more ›

Ryan Howard Continues Stint with IronPigs

Lehigh Valley fans will have several chances to see MVP Ryan Howard play at Coca-Cola Park this week

Service Electric broadcasters covering Sunday night's IronPigs game say Phillies' first baseman Ryan Howard will likely play three more games with the Pigs this week. The Pigs will play the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Yankees at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly. In another rehab start, Phillies' second baseman Chase Utley drew a huge crowd to Coca Cola Park on Tuesday. Initial reports indicate Howard will be the Pigs' designated hitter on Monday and then play first base for the other two games. Howard is recovering from a torn left Achilles suffered at the end of last season. Howard played first base with the Pigs in the second game of a double header in Allentown on Sunday.  He was the …

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Chase Utley to Play with IronPigs Tuesday

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will continue his rehab at Coca-Cola Park as the IronPigs launch a 12-game home stand

Update 6 p.m. Monday: The game has sold out. Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will play a rehab assignment with the IronPigs at Coca-Cola Park Tuesday night. The game will start at 7:05 p.m. and will open a 12-game home stand for the Pigs. Tickets are still available. The game includes a John Mayberry Jr. bobblehead giveaway for the first 3,000 fans 18 and older. Utley has missed the whole season so far because of problems with his left knee. He played second base for the Clearwater Threshers on Friday and Saturday, showing that his rehabilitation is drawing to a close. Some reports say Utley could be back playing with the Phillies as early as Wednesday.

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