"Besides Scott Sheridan, the Phillies' head athletic trainer, the man working closest with Chase Utley during his nebulous rehab process is Sam Perlozzo.

The first-base coach and infield coordinator is the one who intently watches Utley as he participates in fielding drills on his chronically pained right knee. On some days, he'll watch the second baseman do his running exercises and hit a few extra grounders to him.

"One day you think he's close," Perlozzo said, his voice trailing off. He did not complete the sentence.

Utley has shown progress, no doubt. He has gone from not running to running, and that was the biggest step yet. But the repetitions increase gradually. He is taking Saturday and Sunday off from doing anything intensive.

This remains a process.

"He's the same," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Saturday.

On the final day of spring training, Amaro was asked whether Utley could be a candidate for the 60-day disabled list. That was March 28, and Amaro emphatically said no.

Nearly a month later, Amaro still believes Utley can return before June. Still, that belief isn't based on anything scientific.

"I'm hopeful," Amaro said. "I don't know if it's going to happen, but I'm hopeful. I can only hope."

Perlozzo said Utley has responded well to the increased activity. There is more side-to-side movement when fielding ground balls and less resistance to move."