CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Chase Utley took batting practice and infield work on Friday and expects to be on the field when the Philadelphia Phillies open the Grapefruit League season next week.
Utley, who hasn’t played in a spring training game since 2010 and has missed significant time in each of the last two seasons with knee injuries, is confident he can play a full, healthy season in 2013.
“I feel pretty (darn) good right now,” Utley said in a press conference following the optional workout at the Carpenter Complex. “Hopefully, it will stay that way and I think it will. Hopefully, all the work has paid off.”
The Phillies will hold their first full-squad workout Saturday. On Feb. 23, they play host to the Houston Astros.
