CLEARWATER, Fla. (CBS) – It may be a while before Chase Utley plays in any spring training games.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. spoke with KYW’s Jack O’Rourke down in Clearwater about Utley’s patella tendinitis (see previous story).

“He had an MRI over the weekend and he’s got some patella tendinitis and, frankly, it’s something we just want to try and nip in the bud if we can,” said Amaro.  “Hopefully, it’s not something that will linger on him.  But we have to have some concern over it.  Hopefully we will nip it in the bud now so it’s not an issue for him later in the year.”

And Amaro says the situation is frustrating.

“He’s probably the one who is most frustrated, not being able to be out there on the field,” Amaro said.  “He works so hard in the offseason to prepare for spring training that it probably frustrates him some.  But when he is ready to go and ready to play, we’ll get him out there and get him going.”

Utley is able to take batting practice despite the knee issue.

Wilson Valdez started at second base for Utley on Monday in the Phillies’ Grapefruit League game with the Blue Jays, going 0-1 with a walk and a run scored.

Reported by Jack O’Rourke, KYW Newsradio 1060.

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