Good News on Utley

Chase Utley is unlikely to rejoin the Phillies early next week in Houston, but they said they got good news on his concussion today.

Concussion specialist Rob Franks examined Utley in Philadelphia, where he administered an ImPACT test. The results showed Utley is near his baseline test, which he took in Spring Training. That allowed Utley to begin exercising to see how he responds to exertion. Utley will have a follow up ImPACT test Monday, when Franks will reevaluate him.

“Based on that examination we’ll have a better idea of when he will return to play,” Scott Proefrock said.

But while Proefrock said it is unlikely Utley rejoins the Phillies for next week’s three-game series against in Houston, it sounds like Utley could be back sometime later next week.

“It’s positive,” Proefrock said. “Very positive. Good news. We’re going to be very cautious, obviously. But it seems like he’s making progress. We’ll make sure he’s 100 percent before we get him back on the field.”

Utley has no symptoms from the concussion. Proefrock said Utley “felt a little foggy” when he was hit in the helmet with a pitch Wednesday, but never experienced any headaches.

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