Phillies News: Chase Utley returns, Taijuan Walker, Trea Turner and more IL updates

It has been another winning week for the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phils are sitting pretty with a 31-14 record and first in the NL East before a weekend series against the division rival Washington Nationals. The lineup is back to looking normal again after Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto and Bryce Harper all missed time in the last seven days.

Taking three of four games from the New York Mets is always a cause to celebrate the action on the field, despite the disappointing loss on Thursday. As the Phillies keep rolling, there have been some developments off the field as well. There's plenty of news happening in Phillies-land, so let's dive in.

With several Phillies sidelined with injuries, let's check in on how the rehab is going, starting with the most notable absentee.

Trea Turner looking good only two weeks into his recovery

Shortstop Trea Turner is only two weeks into his presumed six-week rehab for his strained left hamstring, but things are looking good for the 30-year-old. He has been spotted on the field at Citizens Bank Park this week, working out before games, taking ground balls and doing some light running.

While there's still no word on a return date (expect a mid-to-late June return), seeing him in action provides a glimmer of hope for fans.

"He's doing really well," manager Rob Thomson said on Thursday, per MLB.com. "He's been really good at following the rehab procedure. ... He's coming along just fine. We don't have a timetable yet."

Relievers Yunior Marte, Luis Ortiz, Michael Rucker all progressing

Yunior Marte threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday that reportedly went well. The right-hander has been on the IL with shoulder inflammation since the beginning of May. He's scheduled for one more bullpen before the Phillies decide the next steps; his return date is still up in the air.

Luis Ortiz has resumed throwing again after having his rehab stint cut short by shoulder inflammation. He played catch from 90 feet earlier this week. The righty hasn't pitched since spraining his ankle on Opening Day. Ortiz is expected back in the bullpen later this month.

Right-hander Michael Rucker will throw another bullpen session on Friday after his session earlier in the week went well. The Phillies' offseason acquisition has been sidelined since the beginning of March with numbness in his right hand (right hand arterial vasospasm). There's no update on an expected return date.

Taijuan Walker's toe isn't as bad as it looked

After getting blasted on the left foot with a 99.7 mph comebacker on Thursday, Taijuan Walker looked to be in an incredible amount of pain as he limped off the field. He needed help getting down the dugout steps after taking the line dive from Starling Marte's bat flush off his toes.

Thomson called it a left big toe contusion after the game. Luckily, X-rays were negative, per MLB.com's Paul Casella.

“I tried to walk it off a little bit, but it kept getting kind of hot and numb and just started hurting," Walker said after the game. "Everything feels a lot better, especially after getting the X-ray and everything was negative, everything was clean ... But definitely is sore, bruised, starting to swell a little bit but could've been a lot worse."

Thomson was unsure if the injury would affect Walker's next start. The Phillies have Spencer Turnbull waiting in the bullpen for his chance to get back in the rotation. He'll get at least one turn if Walker's toe isn't ready to go next week. Turnbull had a 2-0 record and a 1.67 ERA in six starts before being moved to the bullpen.

The Man, Chase Utley returns to Philly

Phillies legend Chase Utley was hanging around the ballpark this week, promoting the upcoming Phillies-Mets London Series. Speaking to a large media contingent in the dugout on Thursday afternoon before the finale of the home-and-home series, Utley spoke about the rivalry between the two teams,

"We had some battles over the years when I was playing and it's still going today," the former second baseman said. "For those of you traveling to London to see them compete, it's going to be another exciting two-game series."

As one of the most hated players in Queens, apparently Utley never got a call to help promote the London Series in New York.

"I'm doing no promotional work at Citi Field," Utley said with a knowing laugh when asked whether he was doing any promotional work for the Mets.

"No, I never got a phone call," he said with mock exasperation, drawing a chorus of laughs from the media members.

During Thursday's game, Utley joined Tom McCarthy and John Kruk in the booth. Of course, the Phanatic crashed the party, dressed as a Buckingham Palace guard.

The Phillies head to London for two games with the Mets on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9.