Chase Utley went 3-for-3 with a homer, a triple and three RBI against the Braves on Monday. Utley really turned it on in the second half of the spring, and he appears poised to be one of the NL's top players early on this season. He may turn into a sell-high candidate later, but enjoy the ride for now.

Chase Utley went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBI against the Red Sox on Sunday. That's three homers in two days for Utley. He also swiped his second base today. Better for him if the regular season were starting tomorrow.

Chase Utley hit a pair of homers off Wei-Yin Chen in the Phillies' win over the Orioles on Saturday. Utley wasn't even able to play in spring games the last two years, so he's already off to a much better start in 2013. He hadn't been doing a whole lot offensively until today, but he's now up to .255/.377/.471 in 51 at-bats in Grapefruit League play.

Chase Utley hit a three-run homer and walked Tuesday versus the Tigers. It was his first homer. Utley's knees are definitely in better shape this spring than in the last two. He's off to a bit of a slow start at the plate, going 5-for-27 so far, but all that really matters is that he's holding up physically.

Chase Utley (knees) was scratched from Tuesday's Grapefruit League game. This isn't injury-related. Utley was removed from the lineup due to weather conditions.

Chase Utley (knees) is expected to start Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against the Astros. Utley hasn't appeared in a spring training game since 2010 due to his chronically injured knees, so it's a sign that he remains on track to be ready for Opening Day. The 34-year-old will be a risk in fantasy leagues going into the season, but has a chance to be undervalued at a thin second base position.

Chase Utley (knees) said Friday that he feels "pretty damn good." "It was a very productive offseason," said Utley, who did baseball activities throughout the winter in order to stay strong. "I had no flareups. In the weight room, I made progressions I haven't done in three or four years. I was able to get stronger. I wanted to get my legs stronger without irritating my knees and I did that. I think all the hard work I did this offseason will pay off." Utley is hopeful that his new maintenance program will allow him to start the regular season on time for the first time since 2010. The 34-year-old remains a risk in fantasy leagues, but he has a chance to be a nice bargain at a thin second base position.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro said Wednesday that Chase Utley is doing baseball activities five days a week. Amaro has received a positive report from Phillies head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan, who is watching Utley's workouts in California this week. "Chase is doing very, very well," said Amaro. "Scott has been with him the last couple of days and he says Chase looks great and is feeling great. We hope it continues." Utley had a late start in 2011 and 2012 due to cartilage-related knee issues, but the Phillies are hopeful that he'll be ready for spring training and Opening Day this year.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro said he's "cautiously optimistic" Chase Utley will return as a regular, full-time player in 2013. Utley has missed significant time each of the last two seasons with knee problems, but expects to be ready for the start of spring training in February. "He's taking ground balls pretty much every other day," Amaro said. "He didn't take a whole lot of time off. One of the things I think we've all learned, that it probably behooved him to continue to work and be able to keep his knees going. He's actually done very well."

Chase Utley had a pair of hits and drove home three runs as the Marlins topped the Marlins 9-5 on Saturday. Utley finished the night 2-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored and three RBI. He lined an two-run single off Ricky Nolasco in the fifth inning, and added another RBI knock in the eighth. He has been quite productive since returning from the DL, hitting .265/.376/.446 with 11 homers, 44 RBI and 11 steals in 79 games.