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Utley kept out of starting lineup Tuesday vs. Tribe

PHILADELPHIA -- Chase Utley has been a bright spot for the Phillies offensively, but he did not start Tuesday against the Indians at Citizens Bank Park.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel thought with no games scheduled Monday and Thursday, an additional day off could go a long way into keeping him fresh and healthy. Utley, who had started 18 consecutive games before Tuesday, missed much of the previous two seasons because of bad knees.

The Phillies have said Utley is healthy, and he is putting together an impressive season. He entered the night with an .858 OPS, which is the best among National League second basemen.

"A day would be good for Ut," Manuel said. "We'll try to monitor him and get him off his feet at times."

Manuel said Utley's break had little to do with the fact the Phillies faced left-hander Scott Kazmir. Utley entered the night hitting .162 (6-for-37) against left-handers.

Manuel started Kevin Frandsen at second. He entered the game hitting .429 (6-for-14) with one homer and three RBIs against left-handers.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com.
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