Battling flu, Utley to be available off bench

PHILADELPHIA -- Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is still recovering from the flu, but manager Ryne Sandberg said Utley is available off the bench for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Utley did not work out on the field with the team at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday afternoon. He was sent home from the ballpark before Tuesday's home opener and has been battling the flu since Friday in Chicago, Sandberg said.

"He's about half better," Sandberg said before Wednesday's game. "Hopefully he'll be ready to be a late-inning pinch-hitter or that type of role for tonight's game. He's still a little weak, but he thought he could handle that job. As of right now he'll be ready."

Utley's absence from the lineup is a noticeable loss for the Phillies. Utley entered Wednesday with a .458 batting average, two home runs, six RBIs and a 1.369 OPS, which leads the National League.

Catcher Carlos Ruiz filled in for Utley in the No. 3 hole in the batting order for the second straight game Wednesday and Cesar Hernandez made his second straight start at second base.