Amaro: Lidge is 'progressing'
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Amaro: Lidge is 'progressing'
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
HOUSTON -- Lots of questions from readers about Brad Lidge this morning. He was shelled in a rehab outing at Clearwater on Saturday when he couldn't finish an inning before allowing four runs. It was his first appearance in a game situation since receiving a cortisone shot March 30.
Today, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. would only issue a statement through a team PR official regarding Lidge.
"He's progressing with his arm strength," Amaro said in the statement. "He has no reported pain in his elbow."
That's all. Amaro would not make himself available for questions, so take it for what it's worth.
We haven't been given any indication as to what Lidge's velocity was like Saturday. He might not be doing it on purpose, but it certainly appears like Amaro is dodging the issue. Yeah, it was only one outing in a rehab game, but given Lidge's history with concealing injury and the fact that he's already had a cortisone shot...well it's just about time to start wondering what's really going on.
Lidge will pitch in another rehab outing Monday for Clearwater. Lefthander J.C. Romero, who hasn't allowed a run in two rehab outings, will pitch again Tuesday in a rehab game.
Comments (29)
Tiresome. He shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the 9th inning until/if he proves he can get minor league kids out with consistency- And while your at it, please dump Figgy and Schneider. Both are useless.— Steve Jeltz
- For Lidge's own peace of mind, it seems he MUST remain optimistic about everything connected with his rehab. If I thought it would help, I'd be that way too. If within the next eight weeks he cannot return and be effective, it looks like Madson will have to be the guy for the whole thing, so I hope he has success to build his ego, as he really does NOT want the job from what I know of him.— TBear
Luckily the Phillies only need a closer at most four of five days. Halladay closes for himself. Guy is old school in the best way.- Lidge, when he's on, is the best reliever in the game. He was perfect his first year here and then last year he was terrible. I had been concerned right out of spring training and was actually hoping he'd do the same thing he did in '08...miss a few weeks early, get his knee cleaned out and sewn up and then he'd have a proper landing/pushoff and thereby reduce pressure on his arm. I truly believe his problems all of last year were results of his on-going knee problems. If he only sucked it up and had the surgery then he would have had a great year. This year he had the surgery before the season and will have another great, 40-save year. And despite his troubles last year what cost the Phillies a second world series was Cole Hammels immaturity in game three...— Eilex826
- Lidge, when he's on, is the best reliever in the game. He was perfect his first year here and then last year he was terrible. I had been concerned right out of spring training and was actually hoping he'd do the same thing he did in '08...miss a few weeks early, get his knee cleaned out and sewn up and then he'd have a proper landing/pushoff and thereby reduce pressure on his arm. I truly believe his problems all of last year were results of his on-going knee problems. If he only sucked it up and had the surgery then he would have had a great year. This year he had the surgery before the season and will have another great, 40-save year. And despite his troubles last year what cost the Phillies a second world series was Cole Hammels immaturity in game three...— Eilex826
- Lidge, when he's on, is the best reliever in the game. He was perfect his first year here and then last year he was terrible. I had been concerned right out of spring training and was actually hoping he'd do the same thing he did in '08...miss a few weeks early, get his knee cleaned out and sewn up and then he'd have a proper landing/pushoff and thereby reduce pressure on his arm. I truly believe his problems all of last year were results of his on-going knee problems. If he only sucked it up and had the surgery then he would have had a great year. This year he had the surgery before the season and will have another great, 40-save year. And despite his troubles last year what cost the Phillies a second world series was Cole Hammels immaturity in game three...— Eilex826
- It wasn't Cole Hamels's immaturity--it was Charlie Manuel's decision to start Martinez in game 2 instead of game 3. A lot of people (even Yankees fans) knew that. If Hamels starts game 2, it becomes accepted that the Phillies could lose it in Yankees stadium, but they are then playing to win game 3 back at home. Manuel wasn't playing to weaknesses or strengths--just a gut feeling. SO. Instead of going 2-1 into game 4 (with a probable win under Martinez at home--where he fared better), the Phillies were 1-2 and pressure was on Blanton to perform. He pitched a decent game, but could have done better without the pressure. Baseball's mental. Figure with the way Lee was cruising, the Phillies could have won in 5 or 6 games (losing the Hamels and possibly Blanton games). But it's a new season so none of that matters--just learn from the mistakes. (And keep Lidge away from the 9th until he's proven he's physically and mentally ready.)— pillsbury
- They need to bring Romero back and find another reliever for the 9th inning, may be time to part ways with Mr. Lidge?— mikey48
- Martinez was the right choice for game 2, win or lose. I understood that at the time and respected the decision. Cole's head was all over the place and he couldn't have handled the pressure of pitching in Yankee stadium. He couldn't handle the pressure pitching in front of his home fans. The moment that changed the series was in the fifth inning (I believe) of game three. Hamels had two strikes on the hitter and the umpire failed to call a borderline pitch strike three. Right afterwards Hamels expression changed. He got angry, started panicking and couldn't pitch worth a damn. The Yankees rallied, took the lead and never looked back in the series. If Hamels doesn't blow up the PHillies win the game, go up 2-1 and never look back in the series. It was Hamels who cost the team a title, not Manual. And Brad Lidge will be the closer, getting the ball in the ninth inning when he comes back...better to prove himself in May and June rather than September and October...— Eilex826
Just say "No!" to Lidge..................PLEASE!!!- Hey Jeltz, Wats a matter ? Did your sister burn your toast ? I'm not a big fan of Figgy, but the guy flew down here , suited up and was thrown into the game. He lost, but didn't embarrass himself, or the team. Schneider is a decent backup catcher. Perhaps you have a better one handy. You don't really know too much about baseball, do you ?— phineas
- bring romero back and keep lidge in the minors..his mind is completely destroyed he has no confidence and when he enters a game teams know he will blow-up no more lidge the regular players even though they will not say it are tired of him blowing games in the 9th inning.— only 9
- You can't just "sew up" a bad knee and expect it to work again. After 3 surgeries on the same knee with meniscus damage, bone chips and scar tissure, it is safe to say that Lidge will NEVER be able to reach the needed arm velocity again, irrespective of whether or not his elbow feels fine and is gaining strength. Amaro is a poker player, with the media, with his fellow GMs and with the public. Do you think he's really gonna tip his hand?— Mark1npt
- You can't just "sew up" a bad knee and expect it to work again. After 3 surgeries on the same knee with meniscus damage, bone chips and scar tissure, it is safe to say that Lidge will NEVER be able to reach the needed arm velocity again, irrespective of whether or not his elbow feels fine and is gaining strength. Amaro is a poker player, with the media, with his fellow GMs and with the public. Do you think he's really gonna tip his hand?— Mark1npt
View comments: 1
|
2
Popular Posts
About this blog
The Phillies Zone is the place for up-to-the-minute Phillies coverage from the Inquirer.
Matt Gelb
Inquirer Staff Writer
Bob Brookover
Inquirer Baseball Columnist
Search this blog:
Classifieds:
Site Services:
Partners:
Powered By:
