Chase Utley: Phillies Superstar Activated from DL for Wednesday's Game

The Philadelphia Phillies are attempting to turn their year around, and they might be getting a big boost, as Chase Utley is set to make his season debut on Wednesday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

According to ESPN’s Steve Berthiaume, the team has activated the second baseman from the 15-day disabled list and made room by optioning struggling infielder Michael Martinez to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

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#Phillies have activated Chase Utley from 15-day DL.Michael Martinez optioned to Lehigh Valley.

— Steve Berthiaume (@SBerthiaumeESPN) June 27, 2012"

The Phillies are currently sitting at 36-40, which is only good for fourth in the NL East, a division they have dominated for the past five seasons.

With the emergence of the Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves and New York Mets as legit contenders in the race for the divisional crown, Philly must start playing better baseball in order to claw back from eight games behind the division-leading Nationals.

Utley began struggling with nagging injuries in 2010 and has suffered from chronic knee problems since the 2011 season. He left spring training this year to get treatment on both of his knees and has been rehabbing ever since.

He should immediately start at second base, taking over a position Martinez and Mike Fontenot have been manning in recent games.

Philadelphia would love for Utley to return to his 2009 form, a season in which the former All-Star hit .282, belted 31 homers, swiped 23 bags and drew 88 walks.

If the Phillies get anything near that type of production from the 2B player, which is going to be highly dependent on his creaky knees, the team would have a real chance to steal the division.

Find out if Chase Utley has it in him tonight when the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at 7:05 p.m. ET.