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Martinez out 6-8 weeks, Phillies looking for infielder

Michael Martinez is the latest Phillie to suffer an injury during Spring Training. (David M Warren/Staff Photographer)
Michael Martinez is the latest Phillie to suffer an injury during Spring Training. (David M Warren/Staff Photographer)Read more

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Ruben Amaro Jr. acknowledged what most of the rest of the world has already figured out: that the Phillies are monitoring the infield market as they look to keep pace with a series of injuries that has sidelined three-quarters of their regular infield.

"We're keeping our eyes open on middle infield depth," the Phillies general manager said. "We could do it internally, but I think it behooves us to make sure we keep an eye out on what's going on as far as guys who are available, guys who could help us."

The latest injury to strike the Phillies is a broken right foot for utility man Michael Martinez. Amaro said Friday that Martinez is expected to miss 6 to 8 weeks after fracturing the fourth metatarsal on his right foot in a game against the Orioles on Tuesday.

"He's going to be out awhile," Amaro said.

The Phillies are already projected to head into the season with 22-year-old rookie Freddy Galvis at second base, although they could look to add a veteran via trade or waiver claim. Second baseman Chase Utley has returned from his visit to a specialist who was scheduled to examine his ailing knees, which have sidelined him since the early days of spring training.

Amaro said he does not have an update on Utley, but re-iterated his belief that the veteran second baseman will be healthy enough to play at some point this season.

"We just don't know when," Amaro said.

The Phillies' only healthy back-up middle infielder in camp is Pete Orr, who spent parts of last season with the team. Orr is not regarded by the Phillies as an adequate short stop, but he and starting third baseman Placido Polanco can play second, which would allow Galvis to move back to his natural position in the event of an injury to starting short stop Jimmy Rollins.

"The utility infield situation is something we have to address, either internally or externally," Amaro said.

The general manager down-played the likelihood of trading starting pitchers Joe Blanton or Kyle Kendrick, saying, "We want to keep a strength a strength."

Nevertheless, with Utley's return on uncertain and Martinez sidelined until at least May, you can expect the Phillies to be actively seeking infield help.