SAN DIEGO — A month ago, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. proclaimed that Chase Utley was no longer the team’s primary second baseman, that he had been overtaken by Cesar Hernandez.
On Friday, Utley returned from a six-week stay on the disabled list, played second base and batted leadoff for the first time since 2004.
Ditto Saturday night.
Utley got a rest Sunday — he did come off the bench with a big pinch-hit double late in the game — and will return to the starting lineup Monday night in Arizona, according to interim manager Pete Mackanin.