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Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will receive an MRI on Thursday after experiencing some discomfort in his rib cage.
Utley described feeling a "burning sensation" while he took swings before Tuesday's game against the Miami Marlins. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel scratched Utley from the lineup, and did not start the second baseman in the series finale on Wednesday.
The results of the MRI will determine the final course of action, but it seems likely that Utley will need to spend some time on the disabled list. Utley told the media that he talked to current and former teammates about similar injuries, and they all told the second baseman to "not rush back" and exercise caution.
Carlos Ruiz to DL
The Phillies catcher is expected to miss a month with a strained hamstring
Any missed time for Utley would have a big impact on the Phillies lineup, as the second baseman has been one of the team's best hitters this season. Utley has hit .272/.339/.475 in 177 plate appearances this season. The 34-year-old continues to field the ball well, making Utley one of the best second basemen in the league when healthy.
Utley has struggled with health issues the past few seasons, only playing in 186 games in 2011-2012. Knee issues plauged the veteran the past two seasons, causing much of the missed playing time, but have have yet to be problematic in 2013.
