PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Philadelphia infielders Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz both need offseason surgery, the 2008 World Series champions announced Thursday.
Utley, 29, an all-star second baseman, will undergo surgery on his right hip. Doctors say the procedure could cause him to miss as much as two months next season.
Utley finished 2008 with a .292 batting average, a career-high 33 home runs, and 104 RBI.
In the postseason, he batted just .167 in the World Series, but hit a two-run homer in the first inning of Philadelphia's Game 1 victory over Tampa Bay.
In the NL Championship Series against the Dodgers, Utley batted .353 with a homer and three RBI.
"A lot depends on how the surgery goes," said general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. "(But) we fully expect to have Chase Utley with us for the bulk of the season."
Feliz, the Phillies' third baseman, is scheduled for back surgery next Thursday following 26 days on the disabled list in 2008.
