Utley hopes to return in less than 8 weeks

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Chase Utley says he'd like to return to the Philadelphia Phillies in about six weeks.

When the five-time All-Star second baseman had surgery last week to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, the team said he will miss at least eight weeks.

But Utley says he's optimistic he won't need that long.

Utley has returned sooner than expected before. He was expected to miss up to six months following offseason hip surgery after the Phillies won the World Series in 2008, but was in the lineup on opening day.