Phillies second baseman Utley to go under knife

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will undergo hip surgery next week and could miss a large part of next season.

Utley's rehabilitation following the operation on his right hip is expected to take four to six months, the Phillies said on their website (phillies.mlb.com) on Thursday.

"You don't necessarily replace an Utley," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. Told reporters. "A lot depends on how the surgery goes, how the rehab goes."

Utley helped Philadelphia win its first World Series title since 1980 last month after overcoming the Tampa Bay Rays in five games.

The 29-year-old batted .292 with 33 home runs and 104 RBIs during the regular season, his fourth consecutive season with at least 100 RBIs.

He had struggled with discomfort since May but played on through 159 regular-season games and three post-season series.

(Reporting by Jahmal Corner; Editing by Alastair Himmer)