Phillies place Chase Utley on 15-day DL with ankle inflammation
The Philadelphia Phillies placed second baseman Chase Utley on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right ankle, the team announced.
Utley’s ankle has been an ongoing issue, causing him to miss a portion of spring training earlier this year.
Utley received a cortisone shot in the ankle on Wednesday and did not play in the team’s 11-8 win against the New York Yankees.
"Obviously, it's been bothering me for a little while. Most players have aches and pains through the year,” Utley said. “So I'm not shocked with that. It's really showing no improvement. So I think it's a good time to get it right. We'll take a little time off, and hopefully that will get it squared away."
Power Rankings: Cardinals remain in first place for fourth straight week
Utley, a six-time All-Star, has just five hits in his last 54 at-bats and is hitting .179 with four home runs, 25 RBIs and a .532 OPS in 65 games this season. His batting average and OPS rank dead last in all of baseball among qualified hitters.
Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said he was a “little bit surprised” by Utley’s DL stint, because he had not been told anything was wrong with him.
• JAFFE: Hit and Run: Jose Fernandez's return draws near
“But 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," Sandberg said. "But to have it bothering now -- as he said it has kind of crept up on him to the point of getting it rechecked and re-evaluated -- that's what he feels."
Utley, 36, is making $15 million this season and also a $15 million club option for next season that automatically vests if he reaches 500 plate appearances. Utley has 249 plate appearances through the first 73 games of the season.
- Scooby Axson
