Phillies' Utley could miss start of season after hip surgery

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley winces after striking out during Game 3 of the World Series last season. Three-time All-Star Chase Utley , who anchored the middle of the lineup for the World Series champion Phillies, will have surgery and may not be ready for the start of the 2009 regular season. Utley will have surgery next week to repair any bone or cartilage damage he may have in his right hip. But depending on the extent of the damage, full recovery could take until May, team officials said Thursday. "Our feeling is that he's going to be fairly close to ready if not ready by opening day," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. "We fully expect to have Chase Utley with us for the bulk of the season." Utley was bothered by symptoms during the season but still hit .292 and led all second basemen with 33 home runs and 104 RBI. Trainer Scott Sheridan said Utley thought the injury may have occurred while he trained during the last offseason but could not pinpoint an exact time.

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