Utley steps right up in game action, feels 'perfect'

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- It had been a couple years of setbacks and soreness, but Chase Utley is finally back on the field.

He played three innings Saturday in the Phillies' Grapefruit League opener against the Houston Astros at Bright House Field. It was his first Spring Training game since 2010 because of problems with chronically injured knees. Utley went 1-for-2 with one RBI, ripping the first pitch he saw from Astros right-hander Lucas Harrell up the middle in the first inning to score a run in the 8-3 loss.

"It was a good first step," Utley said.

Utley isn't sure how much he will play this spring or if he will be on a routine schedule like other players in camp, but he will not play Sunday against the Tigers in Lakeland. He is expected back in the lineup Monday against the Tigers in Clearwater.

"To be honest, I forgot what a normal Spring Training schedule is," he said. "No, what Charlie [Manuel] and I have planned, there will be plenty of games under my belt. So far so good. Things are progressing well. … The last couple of Spring Trainings I was just trying to figure out a way to get on the field, and that didn't work. This year, the stuff I did in the offseason has worked so far. Hopefully it will give me a chance to not only know what I need to do to get on the field but to actually make some progressions while playing."

But the biggest question is: no pain in the knees?

"I feel good," he said. "Perfect."