Chase Utley has been sent to a knee specialist because he's hit a "plateau" in his rehab. At least, that's the way the Phillies described the situation Monday morning in a statement to reporters. Utley has experienced complications with his chronic right knee condition since the start of spring training and has yet to make an appearance in a Grapefruit League game. It's safe to say he's now questionable (or even doubtful) for Opening Day.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said Chase Utley (knee) could make his spring debut next week. Utley has been bothered by lingering right knee discomfort since the start of spring training. But the Phillies aren't worried about him getting off to a late start in camp. "I think he's going to be fine," Amaro told reporters Thursday afternoon.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Monday that he doesn't have a target date for Chase Utley's Grapefruit League debut. "Nope," said Manuel. "It's gonna be a while yet." Utley is participating in regular workouts, but the Phillies are looking to limit his playing time this spring due to his chronic right knee condition. However, there's no indication that he's at risk for missing the start of the season.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said it "might be a little while" before he plays Chase Utley in any spring training games. Manuel just wants to take it easy on Utley's chronically injured right knee. "It might be a little while before I play him," Manuel said. "I want him to keep doing his regular workouts. Right now, I'm in no hurry to play him as long as we can have him ready when the season starts. We just want him to feel good about where he's at with his practice and hitting." Manuel is also sitting out Placido Polanco, who is coming back from hernia surgery, for the first couple games, but he said Polanco will likely play on Monday.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Sunday that both Chase Utley and Placido Polanco will be eased into game action during spring training. Polanco enters camp at 100 percent following hernia surgery, and Utley is also healthy, but Manuel just wants to take it slow with his veterans. They won't need a ton of at-bats to get themselves ready for the season. Both are looking to bounce back from disappointing seasons at the plate.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro admitted that the patella tendinitis in Chase Utley's right knee probably will never go away and he's not sure Utley will ever again reach his previously-elite production. "I don't know if it's behind him," Amaro said of Utley's knee injury. "Is he going to be a 30-home run, 110-RBI guy and hit .300? I don't know that. I hope he is. That will help us. Whatever we get out of Chase is going to help us. I know he is going to strive to get to the point where he can maximize his numbers and his production." Utley wound up with a .259/.344/.425 batting line to go along with 11 homers and 44 RBI over 398 at-bats this season, as his production and number of games played slid for the second straight year. He'll turn just 29 in December, but it's certainly fair to question whether his best days are behind him.

Chase Utley went 2-for-3 with an RBI in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals in Game 4 of the NLDS. Utley quickly put the Phillies on top with an RBI triple in the first and got a gift single late in the game when a dribbler hit off the first base bag. The second baseman is now batting .462 in the series against the Cardinals. Jimmy Rollins also had two hits on the night and scored a run.

Chase Utley (concussion) is back in the Phillies' lineup for the second half of Thursday's doubleheader. It will be Utley's first start since he suffered a concussion last Wednesday. The second baseman appeared in the first half of Thursday's doubleheader against the Marlins, but only as a pinch-hitter. He's batting .264/.346/.443 with 10 homers and 41 RBI in 89 games this season for first-place Philly.

Appearing for the first time since suffering a concussion, Chase Utley singled as a pinch-hitter in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Marlins. Utley is expected to start at second base in the nightcap.

Chase Utley (concussion) is not in the Phillies' starting lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Marlins. Utley is expected to return Thursday, so this likely means he will play in the nightcap. Pete Orr will start at second base in the first game.