Phillies put Chase Utley on disabled list with inflammation in ankle

Slumping second baseman Chase Utley was put on the 15-day disabled list by the Philadelphia Phillies with inflammation in his right ankle.

Phillies trainer Scott Sheridan said Utley’s ankle has been bothering him since January and the six-time All-Star was to receive a cortisone shot Wednesday.

“I’ve had some good days. More bad days than good days but I felt like I could play through it. I was able to obviously get on the field. I don’t think it’s been beneficial for me to play on it,” Utley said.

Utley had been on the bench for three of the last five games. His .179 batting average is last among the 164 qualifying major leaguers, and he has four home runs and 25 runs batted in.

Utley has 249 plate appearances in the Phillies’ first 74 games and his contract includes a provision guaranteeing a $15-million salary for next season if he has 500 plate appearances this year and is not injured or on the disabled list at the end of the season.

Etc.

New York Mets pitcher Derrick Bernard and free agent Christopher R. Perez have been suspended 50 games each for violating baseball’s minor league drug program. The commissioner’s office says both right-handers had a second positive test for a drug of abuse. ... Right-hander Justin Verlander did not make his scheduled start for the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday because of a stiff back. Manager Brad Ausmus said Verlander’s back tightened during his previous start and the team is hopeful the former Cy Young winner will miss just one start. ... Infielder Brendan Ryan was put on the 15-day disabled list by the New York Yankees because of a strained upper back. ... The Seattle Mariners called up outfielder Franklin Gutierrez from Triple-A Tacoma (Wash.), nearly two years after he last played in a major league game.