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PAUL SANCYA / Associated Press
Phillies lefthander Cole Hamels delivers against Toronto. His line was not pretty: nine hits, five earned runs in 51/3 innings.
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Phillies Notes: Lidge looks good, eyes opening day
Phillies Notes
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Phillies closer Brad Lidge, less than a month removed from surgery on his right knee, pitched a scoreless inning in a minor-league game yesterday and said he hopes to be ready for opening day.The Phillies have not committed to that yet.
Lidge threw 16 pitches, allowed two hits, and got out of the inning with a double-play ball. He threw all fastballs and sliders. Lidge estimated that his fastball was 91 m.p.h.
"I still need to generate more velocity," he said. "My arm speed is not where it needs to be. But I've got three more outings this week, and I believe it will get a lot better. Those last couple ticks of velocity can only come in a [major-league] game."
Lidge will throw in minor-league games tomorrow, Thursday and probably Saturday. He said his knee felt fine and he believes he will be ready to open the season on time a week from today. Phillies officials are open to that but will not make a decision until later in the week.
"He looks healthy and his stuff is good," assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle said. "Whether he'll be ready for opening day is still to be determined, but there's a chance. The medical people and [pitching coach] Rich Dubee still need to weigh in."
"We'll see," Dubee said.
Lefthanded reliever Mike Zagurski, recovering from a torn hamstring, pitched in the same game as Lidge. Zagurski tweaked his elbow throwing a pitch and was checked by team medical personnel. He might have a scan on the elbow today.
Good news for Howard
Third baseman Miguel Cabrera has agreed to an eight-year, $153.3 million contract extension with the Detroit Tigers. It seems safe to say Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard won't be looking for anything less than that in future negotiations.
Phillies 15, Blue Jays 7
Top infield prospect Jason Donald hit two three-run homers against the Blue Jays at Knology Park in Dunedin. "It's pretty surreal," he said. "This stuff doesn't happen too often. To get the opportunity to do this is pretty amazing." . . . Lefthander Cole Hamels (7.16 ERA) allowed nine hits and five runs in 51/3 innings. Clay Condrey (4.50 ERA) allowed two runs in 12/3 innings. Tom Gordon (6.75 ERA) threw a scoreless inning. . . . Chase Utley (.267), Pedro Feliz (.241), Carlos Ruiz (.371) and Ray Olmedo (.212) each had two hits. - Jim Salisbury
and Todd Zolecki
