Philadelphia Phillies 2nd baseman Chase Utley is set to take the next step in his attempt to return to the Phillies lineup.
According to Paul Hagan of the Philadelphia Daily News, Utley will step up his rehab tonight, making his first official rehab start for the Class A Clearwater Threshers.
By beginning a rehab assignment on Tuesday Utley has 20 days before he must be added to the Phillies 25-man roster.
This is a major step for Utley who will be playing in his first affiliated game since the Phillies lost in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series to the San Francisco Giants last season.
Additionally it is the first time Utley will take the field on back-to-back days.
The 2nd baseman has played in two extended spring training games. Utley went 5-for-7 with 2 home runs on Saturday. He followed up that performance by going 1-for-7 with two strikeouts on Monday.
Utley has been sidelined since the beginning of Spring Training due to chondromalicia and patellar tendinitis in his knee.
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