Phillies GM doesn't regret comments about Chase Utley losing starting job
Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was given the opportunity to tweak his forthright comments about Chase Utley losing his starting position at second base, but chose to stand by his frank words on Tuesday.
"I don't regret it. I was just being straight and honest," Amaro said on Philadelphia's 94WIP. "Maybe that's what hurt some feelings."
When discussing the second base position last week, Amaro stated that he doesn't believe that Utley should retain his starting role upon returning from the disabled list from an ankle injury and Cesar Hernandez should instead be the Phillies' starting second baseman.
"Cesar, at the time, is playing very good baseball. That may change, and when Utley is ready to play, he'll get opportunities to play. We'll just have to have that be a difficult decision for Pete [Mackanin]," Amaro said. "Hopefully it's a situation where Chase is playing well and Cesar is playing well and we'll have to mix and match and make sure the guys get as much playing time as necessary."
Although Amaro was rigid in his assessment of Utley, he has no doubt that the 36-year-old second baseman will continue to persevere and try to recapture his elite play upon returning from the DL.
Retirement, he says, is out of the question for the veteran second baseman
"He's absolutely, unequivocally not going to do that," Amaro said. "He's got plenty in the tank left."
(h/t CBS Philly)
