Manager Ryne Sandberg said Utley's vesting option for 2016 does not factor into his decision-making with his lineup, the Philadelphia Daily News reports. Utley has a $15 million option for 2016 that vests with 500 plate appearances. He is at 249 plate appearances, putting him on pace to easily hit 500 before the season ends. Utley continues to struggle at the plate. He went 0-for-4 with a strikeout Monday while the rest of his teammates put up 11 runs on 18 hits against the Yankees. Sandberg has indicated he would like to get Cesar Hernandez more playing time, but he has been unwilling to cut into Utley's at-bats thus far.