Chase Utley took his first step to returning to the Phillies lineup Sunday at Coca-Cola Park. The 36-year-old second baseman, filled with trade rumors involving the Cubs, served as the IronPig designated hitter and had a successful day.

"Some at bats I had decent timing and others I didn't. It's a work in progress, but overall it was good," said Utley after his 2-for-3 outing.Battling a sore ankle all season, Utley has hit just .179 this season in 65 games."Overall, the ankle is feeling the best that it has felt all year. We're just trying to move in the right direction," Utley said.Utley's initial at-bat Sunday was a bit shaky but later he looked more like the Chase Utley of old.In the sixth inning, IronPig leadoff hitter Chase d'Arnaud singled. One out later, Norfolk brought in MLB veteran lefty Dana Eveland to face Utley. Utley, having already singled in the fourth inning, worked the two-strike count. He fouled off three pitches before ripping a single to center."The first at bat he looked a little rusty but I think as he kind of got into it he got a little bit of confidence," IronPig manager Dave Brundage said. " I thought he had a real good at-bat against the left-hander with a two-strike single."Utley will continue his rehab Tuesday with Reading."(The) ankle felt good today. I was able to get four (plate appearances) and try to create some timing at the plate."Bogusevic droughtTo say Brian Bogusevic is going through a rough patch is an understatement. Since mid-June, he is batting just .219."He's shown consistency all season long and I think he's kind of fighting himself," Brundage said.On Sunday, Bogusevic came to the plate with prime opportunities to drive in runs but ended up back in the dugout without his team scoring runs.With two on in the fourth, he flew out to center field. With the bases loaded in the sixth, he nubbed the ball inches in front of the plate for an inning-ending double play. In the eighth inning he struck out on three pitches with three awkward looking swings."He's working at it in the cage taking 200 swings," Brundage said. "I don't know if there is a whole lot more he can do than to just free himself up and get a couple of hits.Gutierrez releasedWith the trade deadline passed and a lot of new minor league blood flowing in the veins of the Phillies organization, decisions will be made that will spell the end of their tenure in the organization.The first to go is 31-year-old reliever Juan Gutierrez. The righty posted an impressive 4-1 record with a 2.88 ERA."He took the ball when asked and did a good job here," Brundage explained. "Sometimes you have to make decisions on which way you are going. Obviously you see the direction we're going in Philadelphia."Added to the roster are two pitchers from the Rangers organization who can really sling the ball."I think he just didn't fit in the big league plans even though he did his job here," Brundage said. "At the same time you'd like to see some of the young guys get a chance."As the team starts their series in Toledo Monday, 23-year old Alec Asher (3-6, 4.73) makes his IronPig debut. Also on the road trip, his former Round Rock teammate Jerad Eickhoff (9-4, 4.25) will make his first outing as a Pig."I am kind of anxious to see what they are all about," Brundage said. "They seem like good young men just talking with them. They are probably anxious to get back out there on the mound. They'll have a jump in their step."