Chase Utley placed on 15-day DL with bothersome ankle

Travis Durkee

Chase Utley placed on 15-day DL with bothersome ankle image

Chase Utley has finally been placed on the 15-day disabled list with right ankle inflammation, and by the looks of his stats the Phillies won’t miss much.

Utley, 36, is hitting .179/.257/.275 in 65 games in easily the worst season of his 13-year career in Philadelphia. 

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The ankle injury, originally suffered in January during an offseason workout, has taken a roller-coaster progression over the last six months from swollen, less swollen and now inflamed. 

"Obviously, its been bothering me for a little while," Utley said, via Philly.com. "I think most players have aches and pains throughout the course of the year, so I chalked it up to that. Like (Phillies head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan) said, it's really showing no improvement. So I think it’s a good time to get it right. We're having a cortisone shot (Wednesday). We’ll take a little time off. Hopefully that gets it all squared away."

Utley’s DL stint is retroactive to Monday and no timetable is set for his return to the Phillies, who have recalled Darin Ruff from the Lehigh Valley IronPigs to take Utley’s roster spot.

Travis Durkee