"As he walked to the plate in the first inning Monday night, Chase Utley received a long and loud standing ovation from the largest regular-season crowd ever at Citizens Bank Park. It was the kind of greeting usually reserved for Cliff Lee.

Utley had been receiving ovations such as this long before Lee came to town. He is the original favorite Phillie and everyone from the upper deck to the dugout was eager to see him make his long-awaited 2011 debut after three months of painstaking rehab on his injured right knee.

"I tried to tune it out, but it was a little too loud," Utley said of the deafening roar that accompanied his first at-bat of the season. "I'll take that any time. The crowd was outstanding, as usual."

The most chronicled injury in Phillies history had sidelined Utley since the start of spring training, and now, after 16 days of testing his wounded knee in Florida, the all-star second baseman was back in the lineup.

"We've missed Chase since Day 1," manager Charlie Manuel said before the game. "It's tremendous to have him back."

Utley shared in the excitement, though his stoic personality wouldn't allow any giddiness before the game. But you could tell. While his teammates were still making their way from the clubhouse to the dugout before game time, he was already on the field, stretching and running sprints.

"You guys obviously know I enjoy playing and it's both disappointing and frustrating being on the sidelines and not being able to help," he said.

Utley's spirit helped more than his bat Monday night. After scoring three or fewer runs in nine straight games, the Phils' bat rack caught fire in a 10-3 victory over Cincinnati. Utley lined to center twice, grounded out twice and struck out. He was the only Phillies' starter without a hit, but so what. He squared up a couple of line drives well and helped out on defense. For the Phillies, it was just good to have his quiet leadership back.

"There was a new energy with him here," winning pitcher Cole Hamels said.

"I felt OK," Utley said. "I had some good swings and some bad swings."

This was Utley's opening day – 47 games into the season. And just like any other opening day, there are still plenty of questions that must be answered as the narrative of the season – Chase Utley's season – unfolds.

The biggest question, of course, is how will his knee hold up to the every day grind of the major leagues? Will a week of pounding cause the patellar tendinitis to flare up again? Will it happen after a month? Will he be able to make it through the remainder of the season and into October? Will he be able to avoid postseason surgery, which would impact him next season? For the record, he believes he has a program in place that will allow him to avoid surgery.

Utley said his time in Florida gave him some indication that the knee will hold up. But he will need to take precautions. He will get days off here and there. He might not play day games after night games. He insists he will be honest with Manuel and tell him when he needs to get off the leg."