Phillies Notes: Utley sees first spring action in the field

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Chase Utley played four innings at second base on Saturday, marking the first time this spring that he has played in the field. Utley did not see a lot of action, but he said it went well.

Utley will not travel with the team Sunday to play Boston in Fort Myers. Utley's schedule for the rest of the spring is to be determined.

"I would imagine that I progress with more innings," Utley said. "I don't necessarily see playing every day from here on out. I'll just take baby steps. The smart way."

He scored from second in the fourth inning on a single by Carlos Ruiz. Utley charged around third and slid feet first into home.

"The last few games, I ran the bases and had to pump it up a little bit. It's been fun," Utley said.

Cole Hamels allowed a pair of first-inning home runs before rebounding to strike out five batters in 32/3 innings. Hamels mixed in his curveball for the first time this spring. The lefthander said he felt good and was surprised when he learned he hit his 75-pitch limit.

"Previous years, there might be times that I'm laboring and trying to build up," Hamels said. "I can feel each pitch and the jump in the pitches in each game. This game . . . I didn't notice it. I guess that's a good thing."

Mario Hollands felt discomfort in his left elbow and underwent an MRI on Saturday afternoon. The Phillies reliever said the pain feels similar to last year's, when he missed the final month of the season with a flexor strain.

Hollands said he felt the discomfort after throwing his last pitch in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The lefthander said he would have removed himself from the game if manager Ryne Sandberg had not.

Chad Billingsley pitched a scoreless first inning of a minor-league game Saturday, his first game action since June. The veteran righthander, coming off consecutive seasons lost to elbow surgeries, allowed two hits, struck out one, and did not issue a walk. He threw 18 pitches.

Jerome Williams said he's good to go Sunday against the Red Sox. The righthander was scratched from his last start because of a tweaked hamstring. . . . Odubel Herrera was removed from the game in the seventh with right- knee soreness. He said he is fine.

- Matt Breen

and Jake Kaplan