Just before a horrible weekend for the Phillies could grow worse, Chase Utley surfaced in the clubhouse Sunday and gave fans a welcome distraction.

Utley has not played all season, and will not play soon. But he announced that he is heading to Clearwater for some DHing Monday. After that, he would have to go to the minors for some games and then, only then, would he return to the Phillies, where he is not likely to play everyday anyway, at least not right away.

As good Phillies news went, it wasn't quite Brad Lidge's last pitch of the 2008 season. But it was a distraction on a day when they lost, 5-1, to the Marlins to remain trapped in last place, when Hector Luna was their cleanup hitter, when Jimmy Rollins continued to be booed at the top of the lineup, and when Joe Blanton was typically ordinary.

Yes, that's what the Phils have been reduced to ... hoping that an advanced-age second baseman can recover from a six-syllable knee condition a few weeks from now.


Check out my column in the Daily Times Monday and, as always, on delcotimes.com