Things are getting worse for Phillies

The Phillies are only 3 1/2 games out of first place, but as the season goes on, you just have a feeling this team isn't going to the postseason.

The latest reason came Tuesday afternoon, when the Phillies placed both second baseman Chase Utley, at right, and third baseman Placido Polanco on the disabled list. Utley injured his thumb sliding into second base Monday night against Cincinnati, while Polanco has been out of the lineup since Friday with an injured elbow that has plagued him all season.

With catcher Carlos Ruiz also on the DL, 3 of the team's regular 8 players are out of the lineup.

Since the start of the season, the Phillies regular lineup has been on the field together for 5 games -- all in the first week of the season. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins spent 5 weeks on the disabled list earlier this season. In addition to Ruiz, Utley and Polanco, pitchers Ryan Madson, J.A. Happ, Antonio Bastardo and Chad Durbin are also on the DL.