The man who was sent to Triple A with a .152 average isn’t going to make people do cartwheels with his current .194 average. However, looking at his performance this month, you can see him getting back to being the guy off the bench we loved in 2008.

Greg Dobbs is hitting the ball and reclaiming his role as pinch hitting guru for the Phillies.

This month, he’s hit .290 with three homers and seven RBI in 32 ABs. Are those numbers going to put him in the mix for a new contract extension? Not likely. Will they keep him in Philly the rest of the year and make him one of Charlie Manuel’s first guys off the bench? You better believe it.

The fact is, the Phillies need depth on the bench and a hot Greg Dobbs goes a long way to filling a hole that’s been around viritually all year. With the exception of Wilson Valdez and, recently, Cody Ransom, who did the Phils really have on the bench?

Predictably, Dobbs will fill in at third base while both guys are down. Honestly, at this point, who else could you play at the hot corner over the long haul.

However, the guy is starting Tuesday night and is second in the batting order. Second? Really?

We could analyze Dobbs’ placement in the order, but what we’d say is predictable. So, why bother? Leave us your thoughts in the comments section. However, please remember that this is a family-friendly site most of the time.

Once the King of Pinch Hitting, Greg Dobbs has lost his stroke at the plate. We can only hope he finds his 2008 swing.

That’s what the Phillies have right now in Chase Utley and Placido Polanco. Both men were placed on the DL Tuesday — Utley with a thumb sprain and Polanco with elbow inflammation. Greg Dobbs and Brian Bocock were called up from Lehigh Valley. Neither guy hit .200 for the Triple A IronPigs.

This brings the Phillies current DL total to seven guys. In addition to Utley and Polanco, starting catcher Carlos Ruiz is also out with a concussion, although he could be back Saturday.

Starting pitcher JA Happ, who was in the mix for rookie of the year last season, has been out since the beginning of the year. The bullpen is also missing Ryan Madson, Chad Durbin and Antonio Bastardo.

That is only the players currently on the DL. Joe Blanton, Brad Lidge and Jimmy Rollins have also been out.

If Chase Utley is out for an extended period of time, the Phillies are in a bad spot.

A year ago, the Mets were killed by injuries en route to a crappy season. Could the same be happening to the loveable bunch from South Philly? Are we now paying the price for two great postseason runs?

In the short term, the Phillies just need to play .500 between now and the All-Star break and hope to stay withing striking distance. Then, get healthy and make a second-half run.

That’s going to be easier said than done. Utley’s prognosis is still up in the air. He could be out two weeks; he could be out 6-8 weeks.

Polanco is on the DL for the second time with elbow soreness. Does this last the rest of the year? Can you completely count on him, or do you shut him done now, have him get surgery, and hope to have him healthy by August?

For now, Greg Dobbs will see time at third, with Juan Castro and Wilson Valdez filling in at second.

The key in the long term is Polanco. If he can get healthy, he gives the team flexibility. Ruben Amaro now needs to find either a second baseman or third baseman since Polanco can fill both spots.

The next few days are going to be key for the Phils chances this season. The first step is to get a prognosis for Utley and how long he’ll be out.

For now, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and Jayson Werth need to step up.

Losing your No. 2 and N0. 3 hiiters in the same day? Yeah, that’s a great way to start the baseball day.

Both Chase Utley and Placido Polanco were placed on the DL Tuesday afternoon. Who is left for Ryan Howard to drive in now?

Utley injured his thumb last night and was to have an MRI today. According to CSN’s Leslie Gudel, Utley has a sprained ulnar collateral ligament of the right thumb. That just sounds bad.

Polanco has missed three straight games with elbow soreness thought to be caused by bone spurs. A cortisone shot was supposed to help him get back in the lineup Tuesday. Forget that.

This marks Polanco’s second DL stint this year, joining Brad Lidge and Jimmy Rollins for the team lead. The third baseman likely will need surgery this offseason to remove the spurs — if he can get through this season.

Earlier today we wrote that the Phils could get through a short-term Utley injury. At the time, we didn’t think Polanco would end up on the DL. Now, we have to reassess the Phils immediate future. Look for an update later at DailyPhiladelphian.com.

For now, let’s just say the fact that Brian Bocock and Greg Dobbs being called up from the minors doesn’t do much to get us all excited.

His return hasn’t come quickly enough with the Phils struggling mightily at the plate.

One good thing may have come out of this — the emergence of sub infielder Wilson Valdez.

Wilson valdez's .250 average may not grab your attention, but he's played well enough to earn a roster spot. He would help the Phillies bench at this point.

Valdez has subbed well for Rollins and Juan Castro. His .250 average, two homers and 12 RBI are far from eye popping numbers. But, the Phils could use his bat on their week bench, and as insurance in case JRoll suffers another setback.

Valdez, who hadn’t homered since 2004, went yard Saturday and Sunday. The Phils were lucky not to lose him on waivers the last time Rollins cane back. They can’t risk that again.

Who goes if Valdez stays? I hate to say this because he’s great in the community and recently joined the Board of Trustees for a local nonprofit that helps people with disabilities. However, Greg Dobbs — your time in Philly is up.

A .152 average isn’t going to cut it. Dobbs hasn’t been close to the hitter off the bench he was in 2008. Who knows if he’ll ever be that guy again.

The Phillies can’t wait for him. Not when Valdez is here and hitting .100 points higher.