Chase Utley not thinking about retirement

Chase Utley sure isn’t talking like someone who is ready to call it quits.

The All-Star addressed the media yesterday for the first time since leaving Phillies camp to see a therapist. Utley underwent nonsurgical treatments and plans to continue manual therapy on his injured knees. Utley confirmed that he will miss Opening Day, but he fully expects to return.

“Obviously, I’m not going to be ready for Opening Day. I don’t really have a timeline on when I will be available,” Utley told reporters. “I’m very optimistic this is going to turn out well. But again, it’s going to take a little time and I have to do this right.”

Utley has been working with therapist Brett Fischer. He claims his knee condition isn’t chronic and not tendinitis. Utley called it chondromalacia, which is an abnormal softening of the cartilage under the kneecap.

When news broke that Utley was making an “announcement,” speculation ran wild about his future. The 33-year-old laughed off any notion that the condition would force him to retire.

“It’s not bad enough to end my career. It’s an issue I’m going to have to deal with,” Utley said. “I’m 33 years old. I know some people think that’s old, but I still feel like I have a lot of baseball left in me.”