Phils' Lidge undergoes knee surgery

Phillies closer Brad Lidge could miss opening day after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday, his second operation this off-season.

Lidge, who spent time on the disabled list during the 2009 season because of pain in the knee, should begin a throwing program in 10 days, Phillies trainer Scott Sheridan said. The operation was performed by team physician Michael Ciccotti at the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

"We're not sure if he'll be ready by opening day [April 5], but we don't expect that he'll be too far behind," Sheridan said. "This surgery was not directly related to any previous surgeries."

A team spokesman said general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was unavailable for comment yesterday, because he was traveling.

Lidge posted a career-worst 7.21 ERA last season and converted just 31 of 42 save opportunities.

Lidge's agent, Rex Gary, said the procedure was done now because the knee flared up on Lidge in recent off-season workouts.

"It was increasingly affecting his workouts to a point where he, along with the Phillies, decided it should get checked out," Gary said. "It was increasing discomfort. They brought him in quickly, took a look at him, and the procedure was relatively simple and relatively minor.

"They cleaned it out a little bit. There were some fragments causing his discomfort. The end result is that everyone is pretty upbeat."

Earlier in the off-season, Lidge had bone chips removed from his right elbow. Before the 2008 season, Lidge had an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee to repair a torn meniscus.

Wednesday's surgery was done to remove loose bodies and a portion of the meniscus, Sheridan said.

The Phillies now face the possibility of starting the season with a makeshift bullpen. With Lidge and J.C. Romero (elbow surgery) still recovering from injuries and unlikely to be on the opening-day roster, along with the departures of Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre, the relief corps will have a very different look.

Both Ryan Madson and newly acquired Danys Baez have experience closing games if Lidge isn't ready. Young lefties Antonio Bastardo and Sergio Escalona could have a clear path to making the roster. And hard-throwing Scott Mathieson, fresh off two Tommy John surgeries, could end up being a key piece.

If the Phillies choose to add another reliever before spring training, the market is dwindling. Two lefthanded relievers - D.J. Carrasco (Pirates) and Brian Shouse (Red Sox) - signed minor-league deals yesterday.

Gary said Lidge was upbeat after the surgery, and the pitcher told his agent that it went "great." Whether Lidge is ready for opening day remains to be seen, but Gary said it might not be the worst thing.

Lidge missed the first week of the 2008 season after his arthroscopic knee surgery then. Of course, he went on to convert all 48 of his save chances as the Phillies won the World Series.

"Ideally, in a perfect world, he's ready for opening day," Gary said. "But he had a pretty good season two years ago when his season started a few weeks late."