At last, our long regional nightmare is over. Chase Utley was once the very best second baseman in the game, and he was on a Hall of Fame track. His knees were uncooperative pools of bone and gaseous cartilage, though, so it's been a while since we've seen him on a baseball field.

Good news, then:

#Phillies have activated Chase Utley from 15-day DL.Michael Martinez optioned to Lehigh Valley.

— Steve Berthiaume (@SBerthiaumeESPN) June 27, 2012

Utley rejoins a Phillies team that isn't where he left it. The Phillies are in last place, and the offense is struggling miserably. In Utley's absence, a cavalcade of second basemen have hit poorly, combining for a .246/.271/.381 line that was the worst of any non-pitcher position on the team.

In 10 minor-league rehab games, Utley did worse than that, actually, hitting .189/.279/.351 between A-ball and Triple-A. But he's still Chase Utley, and it's hard to see how he couldn't help. Even if he stands on one leg in the batter's box like a sleeping flamingo, he is probably still the best hitter the Phillies have in the infield.