Galvis's back injury "serious."

The Phillies have played without Chase Utley for the first two months of the season. They may have to play at least the next two months without his replacement.

Following a 9-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night, assistant general manager Scott Proefrock updated the status of rookie infielder Freddy Galvis, who was placed on the disabled list with a lower back injury Thursday.

After going through a battery of tests in Philadelphia, Galvis is believed to have a pars fracture in his back.

“It’s serious,” Proefrock said. “It could keep him out for a considerable amount of time.”

The 22-year-old Galvis will go for a second opinion this week. The Phils will have a definitive diagnosis after that visit.

“From what I understand, it's a minimum of at least six weeks in a brace,” Proefrock said. “But again, that's what our doctors have seen. They're going to get a second opinion."

Mets All-Star third baseman David Wright missed two months (from May 15 to July 22) with a similar injury last season.

Galvis suffered the injury Wednesday night. He left a game against the Dodgers in the middle of his at-bat in the fifth inning after grabbing at his back after running out a foul ball.

Galvis hit .226 in 58 games and played a Gold Glove-worthy second base in 58 games in place of Utley. He also showed a knack for driving in runs. 


Galvis had 24 RBIs, which was fourth among major league rookies and second in the National League when he suffered the injury. Among rookies, his 19 extra-base hits are second only to Cincinnati's Zack Cozart.