Dodgers reportedly set to acquire Chase Utley from Phillies

Dodgers reportedly set to acquire Chase Utley from Phillies

OAKLAND -- The Dodgers are reportedly set to acquire veteran second baseman Chase Utley, reuniting him with long-time double-play partner Jimmy Rollins.

The deal would send two minor-leaguers to the Philadelphia Phillies for Utley. Neither team has confirmed the trade.

Utley, 36, would become insurance at second base while the Dodgers wait for Howie Kendrick to return from a strained left hamstring. Kendrick has been on the DL since suffering the injury Aug. 9.

Kike’ Hernandez has been the primary replacement for Kendrick and has played well. He took a five-game hitting streak into Wednesday’s game with 10 hits in 22 at-bats. Hernandez had reached base in his past 13 games before Wednesday.
But adding Utley would allow Hernandez to be used in a multi-position role once again, filling in around the outfield, where Yasiel Puig is day-to-day with a hamstring injury and Joc Pederson’s offensive contributions continue to be sporadic.

A six-time All-Star (including last season), Utley cleared waivers, making him available in trade this month. He also has the right to veto any trade. There have been rumors of interest from the Angels and San Francisco Giants among others, and the Southern California native and former UCLA star is reportedly reluctant to accept a trade anywhere other than Los Angeles.

A career .282 hitter with an .847 OPS in 13 big-league seasons, Utley is batting .217 this season. But he is 15 for 31 with a home run and five doubles in eight games since returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him for six weeks and prevented the Phillies from trading him sooner.