By AIMEE SACHS
For The Trentonian
TAMPA, Fla. — After a hitless performance in his first rehab start with the Clearwater Threshers, Chase Utley went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in his second rehab start Wednesday night.
In his first at-bat in the top of the first inning, the five-time All-Star came up with no outs and runners at the corners. He drove in the first run of the game on a 4-6 fielder’s choice ground ball, scoring Albert Cartwright from third.

Utley picked up his first hit of his rehab in his second at-bat in the third inning with a line drive single up the middle on a 2-2 pitch. His knees weren’t exactly tested during the Threshers’ three-run rally, as he went from station to station, eventually scoring from third on a Zach Collier single.
He popped up to shortstop in his third at-bat in the fourth and flied out to center in his fourth at-bat in the seventh inning.
Utley doubled in his final at-bat in the ninth inning on a ball that dropped between the Yankees’ center fielder and right fielder. He came around to score on a James Murphy single.
So through his first two rehab games, Utley is 2-for-10 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Utley will likely play again Thursday when the Threshers and Yankees close out their three-game series in Clearwater. He is expected to play in simulated games during the Florida State League’s All-Star break this weekend.
The Phillies’ second baseman wasn’t available to talk to the media Wednesday, but told reporters Tuesday that his body will dictate when he will play his first game in the field.
“If I wake up in the morning feeling like I did the day before, then we’ll continue to move forward,” Utley said. “So far, the past three or four weeks have been, in my mind, very positive, so I’m excited to keep it going.”