You Gotta be Kidding Me!

Just when things were clicking with the Phillies this happened (taken from Phillies Nation)

Phillies All-Star Chase Utley suffered a broken hand when Nationals rookie John Lannan hit him with a pitch in the fifth inning of this afternoon's 7-6 loss. Specifically, he fractured the fourth metacarpal on his right hand. Immediate reports from the Phillies indicated that the injury would be season-ending but both Utley and the team now deny that possibility. What is certain at this point is that the best second baseman in baseball will be placed on the the disabled list. Chase has an appointment with a hand specialist on Friday to determine what options, if any, are available. Surgery is a possibility and that would likely put Chase out for the season. But knowing Chase, he will opt to play through the pain - he already has been quoted saying he could be back on the field in less than a month. That seems optimistic in my opinion so a lot will depend on which disabled list the Phils place him. At best, it will be an extended stay on the 15-day DL, as we've seen with Brett Myers. But like Myers, the Phillies need Chase Utley back now if they hope to make a playoff run in the 2007 season.