The Phillies have a problem. They are about two weeks from Opening Day yet they don’t seem to have enough infielders to field a roster.
On Monday it broke that Chase Utley’s bum knee has become bum knees and his status for the start of the season is highly doubtful. Then on Tuesday, Michael Martinez, one of the players who would be filling in at second (as well as short, third, center and maybe even hot dog vendor) went down with a broken foot.
There is no timetable for Martinez’s return but considering he was hobbling around in a walking boot after Tuesday’s game, Opening Day seems like a stretch.
So that leaves the Phillies possibly looking outside the organization for help. But, maybe the help they need is already in camp.
Ty Wigginton and Placido Polanco could pick up the slack at second should starter-apparent Freddy Galvis not quite be ready to be an everyday replacement for Utley.
And the bench spot vacated by Martinez could be filled by a guy like Hector Luna. The journeyman has a career .265/.317/.388 major league batting line and has played 103 MLB games at second -- plus has seen action at short, third, and in the outfield. He has also torn the cover off the ball this spring posting .281/.343/.531 line while hitting two homers, scoring five runs and knocking in eight in 32 at bats.
Luna, might not be a splashy player but with Martinez and Utley on the mend he could be just the guy the Phillies need to get through the first few weeks or even months of the season.
