By Mike Gill
From Phillies Press Release
Phillies second baseman Chase Utley and third baseman Pedro Feliz will each have surgery, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. and Head Athletic Trainer Scott Sheridan jointly announced today.
Since the end of the World Series, Utley, 29, has had several diagnostic studies in regards to right hip symptoms that he had during the 2008 season. He has been evaluated by Phillies team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Dr. Bryan Kelly at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
Based on the diagnostic studies and examinations, it has been recommended that Utley have surgery on his right hip, which is scheduled for next week. The procedure will
be an arthroscopic evaluation with treatment of any labral or bony injury. The recovery will allow for the initiation of baseball activities between three and four months, however, the total recovery time may require four to six months.
Feliz, 33, will have low back surgery on November 20. He was on the disabled list during the 2008 season for 26 days in relation to a low back injury and had intermittent symptoms at the end of the season that deemed off-season follow-up necessary. Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles will perform the surgery, which is scheduled to be a lumbar discectomy. After surgery, Feliz will complete an eight-to-12 week rehabilitation program.
PCP TAKE: This could be a major blow to the Phillies repeat abilities. If Ultey is out for an extended period of time to start the season, the Phillies could struggle out of the gates. While Ultey did not have the season we all hoped for and envisioned, he did start the season on fire and got the Phillies off to a decent enough start, that they didn’t have a huge whole to dig themselves out of. We all thought Utley was hurt throughout the season, we now know he was.
As for Feliz, he missed about a month of the 2008 season with back problems, but it was barely noticed. He did however, supply the game winning hit in the World Series clincher. His glove is about as good as you’ll find in the business, but his bat was inconsistent. Many thought that playing in Citizens Bank Park would help him reach the 30 home run, 90 RBI area, but that never happened. He should be OK for the start of the season, but back issues are a scary thing.
Well I guess David will be happy. David is Tad Iguchi’s translator and wont have to move again. I hear he’ll be back, and that they may have interest in Nick Punto. Another former player coming back in the fold.
I’ll take a pass on both.
I would like to see Casey Blake signed. They went after him at the trade deadline, but he plays 2B, 3B and OF. I think he would be a nice fit.
Marc Lorretta has a team option, or player option I think, lets see if he goes back there, he would be a good fit.
it was obvious Utley was hurt the whole second half of the season and the Phils kept saying that he was fine. It’s amazing he was able to play at all. This is the kind of player that fits Philly and Amaro should take note that anyone he brings in should be of the same mold.
@ Gill…I would love Casey Blake. I think he would be a phenomenal fit for this team because he is so versatile and is a solid right handed bat. I remember when he was traded to the Dodgers people were upset the Phillies didn’t go after him.
I think the Phillies said he was hurt, it was Utley that said he was OK.
I would love Blake as well. Who wouldn’t? Dont see it happening, though. I see someone more in the mold of Damion Easley.