"The long wait for Chase Utley's return to the majors is nearing an end, but GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the injured second baseman still has work to do before he's ready to make his 2011 debut with the Phillies.

Utley missed all of spring training with patellar tendinitis, and while his progress during his current rehab assignment has largely been encouraging, Amaro said, there's still more the team needs to see before Utley is activated.

"He needs to get timing, at-bats and get a good feel from seeing live pitching," Amaro said. "At the same time, he needs to be honest with us and let us know that he's progressing. As long as he's progressing that's good stuff."

Entering Sunday night's game, Utley had just 10 at-bats with Class A Clearwater to go with 14 at-bats during a two-game stint in extended spring training.

Before Sunday, Utley had yet to play a full game in the field nor has he played more than two days in a row without taking a day off.

"When and if he comes, it might just very well be a day to day thing for him," Amaro said.

The goal, Amaro said, is to have Utley at 100 percent as often as possible -- even if that means more off days when he gets to the majors or an extended time in the minors working his way back.

Bullpen getting healthy

Jose Contreras threw a side session Sunday and expects to begin a rehab assignment in the minors by Wednesday. He's been on the disabled list since April 24 with a sore arm.

Brad Lidge could throw off a mound for the first time in nearly two months this week, and while he's still eyeing a return in June, he's made strides in his recovery from a rotator cuff injury.

That's good news for the Phillies' battered bullpen, but it sets up plenty of questions about the future, too.

With both Lidge and Contreras out, Ryan Madson has been perfect in six save situations.

When Contreras returns -- potentially as early as the weekend -- Amaro said wasn't sure who would fill the closer's role."