While the focus has been on injuries to the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation, the club is currently without one of their key veteran presences in Chase Utley, who has been sidelined since the end of May with a left thumb sprain.
Utley last appeared in a game on May 29, where he came off the bench for a pinch-hit opportunity against his former Philadelphia Phillies club. He flew out, ending his month mired in a 1-for-26 slump dating back to May 12.
Utley was then placed on the disabled list for the first time in nearly three years, and first time since joining the Dodgers organization.
Now after a near three-week layoff, the 39-year-old has resumed taking batting practice and could be nearing a return to the Dodgers. According to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times, the club planning to activate Utley prior to next week’s series against the Chicago Cubs:
The Dodgers plan to activate infielder Chase Utley during next week’s series in Chicago.
It’s clear that Utley’s recent struggles can be attributed to his thumb injury. After a terrific month of April in which he hit .283/.389/.433 across 72 plate appearances, he followed suit in the month of May collecting only seven hits in 51 at-bats.
Moreover, he tallied only two extra-base hits during the month and batted just .137/.185/.196 over 54 trips to the plate.
In 126 plate appearances this season (45 games), Utley is hitting .216/.302/.324 with seven doubles, one triple, one home run and 14 RBI. While his power numbers are down, he has improved his walk rate from the previous season and is 2-for-2 in stolen base attempts.
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