The Philadelphia Phillies transferred second baseman
Tadahito Iguchi from the Chicago White Sox to take the place of all-star Chase
Utley, lost to a broken right hand that needs surgery.
The Phillies acquired the Japanese from Chicago on Friday for low Class-A Lakewood
pitcher Michael Dubee, the son of Phillies pitching Coach Rich Dubee.
All-star second baseman Utley could be back on the field in
three weeks. The Phillies will definitely expect him to get well and capable of
helping them in their chases after the New
York in the NL East race.
"It's going to be tougher," said NL MVP Ryan
Howard. "That's a big bat out of the lineup."
Utley injured himself after he was struck by a pitch from Washington's John Lannan
in the fifth inning of his major league debut on Thursday.
Utley is batting .336 with 41 doubles, 17 home runs and 82
RBIs this season.
Although the Phillies aren’t expecting Iguchi to rise at the
offensive production standards of Utley, the Tokyo native is a very skilled fielder and
hitter, who recorded .251 with 17 doubles, four triples, six home runs and 31
RBI in 90 games this season.
The Phillies will pay the remainder of the 32-year-old
Iguchi for this season; he is a free agent at year's end.
|
