Chase Utley hopes to play next week

CLEARWATER, Fla. AP -- Chase Utley is so private about his injuries that players on other teams ask reporters for updates on the five-time All-Star. Good luck with that. Utley still hasn't played in a game for the Philadelphia Phillies this spring because of a chronic knee condition that forced him to miss the first 46 games last year. He's not participating in team fielding drills or taking grounders during batting practice, but is hitting. Utley, however, may be getting closer to seeing action, though he wouldn't use those words. "I'd like to play in a game next week," Utley said Saturday.

Jasper's thoughts:   "The Phillies have a couple of injuries right now, and I think that they shouldn't play anybody in a game too early."