Apr 10, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley (26) fields a ground ball and records the out at first base during the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Photo Credit: Kenny Karst-USA TODAY Sports
DENVER — Chase Utley has revived his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and has done it batting leadoff, no less.
The Dodgers acquired Utley, 37, from the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 19 in exchange for two minor leaguers. The Phillies were rebuilding and selling off parts. The Dodgers were looking for experienced players for a stretch run. Hence, their acquisition of second baseman Utley, a six-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger winner.
Utley has played in 17 of the Dodgers’ 19 games and made 15 starts. Before this season, he had made 11 starts batting leadoff in his first 13 big league seasons. But this year, Utley has appeared at the leadoff spot in 16 games, 15 starts, and is hitting .324 (22-for-68). Overall this season, Utley is hitting .319 (22-for-69) with six doubles, two triples, five RBIs and a team-leading 10 runs scored. He has a .373 on-base percentage and a .464 slugging percentage. He has hit safely in seven straight games.
On Sunday, Utley’s run-scoring double put the Dodgers ahead 11-10 in the ninth, an inning when they batted around, scored five runs to beat the Colorado Rockies 12-10 after the Rockies had scored five runs in the eighth.
In addition to his offense, Utley is playing very well at second base. Manager Dave Roberts said, “It’s impressive, not surprising. I’ve seen for years. The way he prepares every day and (watching) the video. He’s the first guy at the ballpark every day and one of the last to leave. It’s certainly no surprise.”
Thumb, knee, oblique and ankle injuries put Utley on the disabled list in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015. Last season, Utley hit .217 in 73 games with the Phillies and .202 in 34 games with the Dodgers. This year has been wonderfully different for Utley, whom the Dodgers re-signed as a free agent to a one-year, $7 million contract.
“He’s healthy,” Roberts said, contrasting Utley now to last season. “I know that last year, I saw him early, and he was banged up. Even coming over (to LA), he was kind of getting back. Swung the bat well last year in September. Didn’t get a whole lot to show for it, but as far as the ball coming off the bat, the at-bats he was putting out there — that’s why we were encouraged to re-sign him.”
Roberts said on Monday he will rest the left-handed hitting Utley with Miami starting left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. A left-hander is scheduled to oppose the Dodgers in their three series following the one with the Marlins, something Roberts referenced when he talked about monitoring Utley’s playing time and taking care, despite his solid start, to not overuse him early in the season, mindful of his age and the long haul.
