PHILADELPHIA, July 27 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley has had surgery on his right hand and will miss up to four weeks of playing time.
The team said Utley had a 20-minute procedure Friday at Philadelphia's Methodist Hospital to repair the fourth metacarpal on his throwing hand. Recovery is expected to take about four weeks.
Utley was hit on the hand by a pitch from Washington pitcher John Lannon during a game Thursday. Utley played the rest of the game and the severity of the injury was announced after the game.
Utley is a two-time All-Star who is among the National League leaders in several offensive categories. He is hitting .336 with 17 home runs and 82 runs batted in this season.
The Phillies filled Utley's roster spot with infielder/outfielder Joe Thurston. He hit .278 with three home runs and 44 RBI in 105 games with Triple-A Ottawa and Double-A Reading, Pa.
