Phillies lose All-Star Utley to broken bone in his hand

Phillies All-Star second baseman Chase Utley broke his right hand when he was hit by a pitch during Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Washington Nationals.

Utley was hit in the fifth inning by Washington's John Lannan, who was making his major-league debut. Utley finished the game, going 2-for-4, but X-rays afterward showed he broke his fourth metacarpal. He'll be placed on the disabled list today.

"As breaks go, it's not that bad of a break," Utley said. "It's definitely disappointing."

Utley, batting .336 with 17 homers and 82 RBI, didn't think he'd be sidelined for a month.

"I think it will be sooner than that," he said.

Utley's hand was swollen as he spoke with reporters after the game. "It's definitely sore," he said.

Source: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070727/SPT0401/707270351/1072/SPT