MLB notes: Phillies 2B Chase Utley on disabled list with ankle injury
Slumping second baseman Chase Utley was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Philadelphia Phillies with inflammation in his right ankle.
The team announced the move after Utley sat out Tuesday night’s 11-6 victory over the New York Yankees. Phillies trainer Scott Sheridan said Utley’s ankle has been bothering him since January and the six-time All-Star was to receive a cortisone shot Wednesday.
“I’ve had some good days. More bad days than good days but I felt like I could play through it. I was able to obviously get on the field. I don’t think it’s been beneficial for me to play on it,” Utley said.
“Like Scott said, it’s really showing no improvement. It’s a good time to get it right,” he added. “Take a little time off. Hopefully that gets it all squared away.”
Utley has been on the bench for three of the past five games. His .179 batting average is last among the 164 qualifying National League players, and he has four homers and 25 RBIs
“In my communication with Chase throughout the season about playing, he’s always been up and willing to go and really no reports of anything holding him back, so I was a little bit surprised by it in some regards,” manager Ryne Sandberg said. “The way that he’s moved around and run the bases, and run hard and played defense, I don’t think it was holding him back all that much in my opinion. To have it bother him now, and as he said it’s kind of crept up on him to the point of getting it re-checked and re-evaluated, so that’s what he feels.”
Utley has 249 plate appearances in the Phillies’ first 73 games and his contract includes a provision guaranteeing a $15 million salary for next season if he has 500 plate appearances this year and is not injured or on the disabled list at the end of the season.
Clearing the bases
The Giants have placed OF Nori Aoki on the 15-day disabled list with a small fracture in his right leg. OF Travis Ishikawa was called up from Triple-A Sacramento to take Aoki’s roster spot. Ishikawa hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to win Game 5 of the NLCS for San Francisco last season. … The Tigers recalled RHP Buck Farmer to start against the Indians because Justin Verlander has a stiff back. Farmer allowed eight hits and five runs in 8-2 loss. … Dodgers OF Yasiel Puig was scratched because of an open callous on his left hand. … The Pirates placed UTL Corey Hart on the 15-day DL and promoted RHP Chris Volstad. … The Angels made a pitching change for their series finale against the Astros, recalling LHP Andrew Heaney from Triple-A Salt Lake to start instead of struggling RHP Matt Shoemaker. Heaney pitched well, allowing one run on four hits over 6 innings. Angels won 2-1 in 13 innings. … SS Brendan Ryan has been put on the 15-day DL by the Yankees because of a strained upper back. …. Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia limped off the field in the sixth inning after his go-ahead single. The team announced Pedroia has right hamstring tightness.