When last we left the Chase Utley return saga, he was fielding ground balls during batting practice. That was 18 days ago, on May 17.

Time marches on. The Phillies are in last place, although with a winning record and just 3½ games out of first place. They’d clearly love to have their former All-Star second baseman back, presuming he is ready to play.

And now he is going to play! Although, not in an actual league game anywhere:

Utley will begin playing in extended spring games tomorrow.

— Matt Gelb (@magelb) June 3, 2012

It’s getting kind of late for extended spring training. Many of the players there will be off to short-season leagues soon. But Chase Utley plugs on, working his way back to the Phillies. Given this time frame, it could still be some time before Utley goes on a minor-league rehab assignment, and even longer before we see him with the major-league Phillies.

For more on the Phillies, please visit The Good Phight and SB Nation Philly.