"For the better part of two months, no one within the Phillies' organization wanted to say much of anything when it came to a timetable for Chase Utley's return to the team.

But after Utley participated in his second simulated game in three days Tuesday, manager Charlie Manuel finally offered some insight fans have been waiting to hear.

"It might be time to let him go somewhere, like Clearwater (for extended spring training), and start getting into a broader, bigger routine," Manuel said. "I think he's doing much better. He's getting there in how he responds after he does that kind of workout like he did the last couple days. That's what counts. I definitely think he's closer than what he was a week or two weeks ago."

Utley has yet to play in a live game, but he said the patellar tendinitis in his knee has improved significantly, and he hasn't had any setbacks as he's progressed toward a recovery.

Still, he's not exactly ready to proclaim himself ready for a rehab assignment just yet.

"We haven't really looked that far ahead, but so far so good on what we've been doing," Utley said.

Both team and player have approached Utley's rehab with extensive caution, and thus far the results have been slow, but promising.

"It is encouraging and that's what we've been trying to avoid this whole time," Utley said. "What we've been doing I think has been working.

"We just have to stick with it."

The simulated games -- which have included base running, batting practice, fielding work at second base and down time in the dugout to simulate the up and downs of a game -- are likely the last step before Utley moves on to Clearwater, however. From there, he can get work in extended spring and, eventually, minor league rehab assignments.

"I think there's still a little time until that point," he said. "But we'll have to wait and see."

The good news, however, is that the wait may soon be over.

GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the team has no set plans for Utley, but that today will be a major hurdle. If Utley's knee responds well after Tuesday's work, he could be off to Florida."