Posted: Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 1:55 PM | 8 comments |
 

Lidge, Benson Make Progress
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Phillies closer Brad Lidge said today in Clearwater he hopes to throw off a mound Monday, which could put him on course to returning to action March 17 -- giving him a couple weeks to get ready for the March 31 season opener against the Nationals.

Lidge is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

"Obviously, everything has to keep going right like it has gone so far," Lidge said. "But if it does, I'm still assuming and being optimistic about the start of the season."

*

Kris Benson will pitch in a minor-league spring training game Saturday.

"Everything is a straight line upward," Benson said. "It's going to be fun. It's been a year and a half. Big league, minor league, it doesn't matter to me. As long as I get out there and face some hitters and take one more step closer to getting out here and pitching on the big-league field."
Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 1:55 PM  Permalink | 8 comments
8
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:07 PM, 03/05/2008
    Doesn't it seem a little early to throw off mound? Hope he wears sneakers this time, hate for him to catch his spikes in the dirt again.
    — jimmymack
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:10 PM, 03/05/2008
    Hamels should take a look at Benson's career to see how quickly a young promising ace can turn into a minor-league comeback bid.
    — Frank Lloyd Wrong
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:50 PM, 03/05/2008
    Well jimmymack, I think the recent surgery Lidge had was very minor, and if not for the previous surgery, he would have no problem coming back very quickly. Lets just hope its completely over with. Frank, Benson isnt really considered a minor leaguer, he just got hurt had surgery, and is now recovering. Benson was never considered an ace, at least I hope not!
    — Clinton, NJ
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:33 PM, 03/05/2008
    I think Benson will be the #5 Starter by June 1st. Eaton is a tain wreck and will have to be put in the Pen or the DL with "shoulder Strain" wink-wink. I hope Blackley gets a shot at making the team. It would be nice to have another Lefty in the bullpen.
    — Casey
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:19 PM, 03/05/2008
    RIP Zo Zone and Phillies Zone
    — Nick from the Northeast
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:21 PM, 03/05/2008
    This is a civil, friendly conversation.
    — jrquixote
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:26 PM, 03/05/2008
    Lidge tore his Miniscus from very low key rehab work....now he has 20% less minicus for stability. Unless he wears a brace he is history. If you throw 100mph, you have to have a big right leg push. That is why he is hurt. The real reason Houston cashed him in in a timely fashion. Astro's use him a little at the end of the year just to establish his value....it worked!!!!!
    — jay segovia
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:38 PM, 03/05/2008
    Another vote for Blackley to make the team.
    — Norma


8 comments
About Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover












Bob Brookover and Matt Gelb team up for their third straight season covering the Phillies for the Inquirer and philly.com.

This is Brookover’s second stint writing about the Phillies, having joined the coverage team after seven years as an Eagles beat writer. Brookover was hired by The Inquirer in 2000 as the Phillies beat writer after spending 13 years writing about the team for two suburban newspapers. While on the Eagles beat, Brookover, who had covered just two winning Phillies teams in 15 seasons, saw the Phillies move into a cash-cow new ballpark and begin playing a brand of the game he found unrecognizable. Follow him on Twitter here.

Gelb is in his third season covering the Phillies. He was hired by The Inquirer in August 2009 after graduating from Syracuse University. He has also covered baseball at The Star-Ledger and Cape Cod Times. Born and raised in Bucks County, he attended Central Bucks High School West. Follow him on Twitter here.
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