Chase Utley’s Thumb Surgery Scheduled For Thursday, No Timetable For Return

Chase Utley’s thumb surgery -- a surgery that was only just decided would be needed Thursday morning -- is scheduled to take place in New York City later today, according to a release put out by the team.

The next question then becomes, for how long with the second baseman be out of the lineup? Initially, Peter Gammons speculated “five or six weeks.” The Phillies have not yet determined a timetable for his return, and won’t until they know more after the surgery, but this type of procedure usually requires a recovery period of 4-6 weeks, and “sources ... said he could be sidelined anywhere between 4 and 8 weeks.”

That’s a long time to be without a four-time All-Star, meaning the Phillies may be forced to make a move before the trade deadline.

The Phillies are actively looking on the trade market for a viable replacement who can provide more of an offensive weapon than Juan Castro , Wilson Valdez or Brian Bocock, the three utility players who are currently on the roster.

Infielders who could be available include Arizona’s Kelly Johnson, Baltimore’s Ty Wigginton and Miguel Tejada , the Mariners’ Jose Lopez and the Indians’ Jhonny Peralta.

Utley hit the 15-day DL on Tuesday after injuring his thumb sliding into second in the Phillies game Monday night.