Whispers: Phillies eager to get back Chase Utley

The Philadelphia Phillies could get second baseman Chase Utley back by the middle of the week. Maybe that will put Manager Charlie Manuel in a better mood. He barked at a reporter who suggested scoring is down everywhere. “I hear people say everybody in the league has that problem,” Manuel said. “That doesn’t mean we have to have that damn problem. I say that all the time in the meetings. That’s like saying if somebody jumps off a bridge, we’re going to jump off the bridge with them. The hell with that.” …

The New York Mets’ fire sale could start as soon as Memorial Day. There’s not an untouchable on the roster, including third baseman David Wright. Outfielder Carlos Beltran, who hit three home runs Thursday, could become a person of interest. …

No team walks less than the Chicago Cubs, who began the weekend with four hitters walking fewer than once every 30 plate appearances — Darwin Barney, 33.5; Alfonso Soriano, 33.3; Starlin Castro, 31.6, and Marlon Byrd, 30.6. No big league regular is walking less than the Oakland Athletics’ Coco Crisp, who has averaged 62 plate appearances per walk. …

Washington Nationals prospect Bryce Harper is hitting better than ever after being fitted with contacts. He’s about to be promoted out of low Class A, possibly to double A. …

This weekend’s series against the Boston Red Sox could determine how hard the New York Yankees look to add a left-handed pitcher to their roster, which has only CC Sabathia and Boone Logan. …

Victor Martinez has played a big role in the Detroit Tigers’ closing in on the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central. He has been hitting when teams pitch around Miguel Cabrera. …

Nobody has been more clutch than the Texas Rangers’ Michael Young, who opened the season 19 for 36 with men in scoring position. …

Despite having two closers on the disabled list in Brad Lidge and Jose Contreras, the Phillies began the weekend with the highest save percentage in the majors. Ryan Madson was five for five in save opportunities since taking Contreras’ place. …

Julio Teheran, 20, became the youngest Atlanta Braves pitcher to make his big league debut as a starter since Steve Avery in 1990. He’s going to get more seasoning in triple A.