How the Lidge decision went down, and what happens next
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How the Lidge decision went down, and what happens next
Andy Martino
We now have more information on the Lidge move. Here’s how it went down:
Ruben Amaro Jr. , Charlie Manuel, Rich Dubee, trainer Scott Sheridan, assistant general manager Scott Proefrock and Lidge met at the team hotel in Manhattan today, according to sources. There, management told Lidge he was headed to the D.L.
“He did not suggest it,” said Amaro. “I don’t know how on-board he was with it, because he doesn’t want to make any excuses, but he understands. Our medical people and staff took the decision out of it for him.”
Lidge is not at Citi Field tonight, so I couldn’t ask him if he understood or was on-board.
Lidge has been saying he is heathy, and Dubee said on ESPN Sunday that the problem was strictly one of confidence. Here’s what Dubee had to say about that tonight: “How much do you want people to know about an injury? Do you want the opposition to know that he’s not moving very well on his knee and stuff? Sometimes you don’t tell the whole story…I don’t think confidence is as much a factor as being concerned that you’re healthy. I think the knee distracted us quite a bit.”
Ryan Madson is the closer until further notice, and the team will take their time to make sure Lidge is 100 percent before returning. J.C. Romero will assume most of Madson’s duties. Amaro said that Lidge will not be a Wally Pipp, no matter how well Madson does. "(Lidge) has done nothing to lose that job," he said.
Why didn’t the team DL Lidge earlier, if the knee has been an issue since April? “The player never complained to the point where we needed to make a change (until now),” Amaro said, adding that last weekend’s blown saves were not the final straw; the team was concerned with Lidge’s stuff and velocity, and did not want to risk further injury. He said they would have made this move anyways, and also would have DL'd Lidge even if Romero's suspension had not ended.
Lidge will undergo unspecified tests over the next few days, possibly including an MRI; two recent MRIs have shown no structural damage.
Also, the team considered recalling John Mayberry Jr., but ended up summoning veteran catcher Paul Bako because of the limited number of at-bats available. Mayberry still needs regular at-bats. Having Bako enables the Phils to use Chris Coste as a righty bat off the bench.
Comments (32)
If mayberry needs to play everyday bring him up and sit werth.Play him and you have the right handed bat off the bench in werth.— Phillies08- My Dad has a theory (which was "validated" on DNL last night via an article in the Rocky Mtn. News) that when the last out happened to win the WS and Lidge dropped to his knees and everyone piled on top of him something when amiss with his knee.— KarenA
- I saw that too on DNL, Karen. I'm always afraid of those pile-ups and the celebrations after a player hits a game winning hit. In the WS celebration, when Lidge and Ruiz were on their knees, I know it wasn’t fun for them when Howard came flying from first base on top of the pile.— EL Zorro
Sounds like, "Take a mental break/vacation Brad." Just like they did with Howard a couple of years ago when he got off to a tough start.— TomO- Our middle relief is again our weakness. Lidge needed a break, injury or not. He's sucked. Last year he was insanely lucky. He'd load the bases and get the fourth guy to ground out. I like him; but, it was like watching Wild Thing most nights.
- Velocity don't help if your slider don't slide.— billinseattle
- I think putting Lidge on the DL is a good move for Brad and the team. Whether it is because of physical injury, mechanics, or confidence issues, I believe this is a positive move. I do not quite understand the move to bring up Bako. You put a pitcher on the DL and bring up a 3rd catcher? Wouldn't it make more sense to replace a pitcher with a pitcher? Or, if you are going to bring up a bat, is Bako (or Coste) really the best you have? Tough game last night. Happ hung in there but just didn't have good command of his pitches. Condrey was really bad (um, why do you throw an 0-2 fastball down the middle to Santana at that point? Or really, EVER?) Also, the Phils did score 5 runs and hit Santana better than most teams, but they have to do a better job when men are on base. Ryan's DP was a key at-bat and Dobbs was awful in his AB in the 9th. I will never understand how a guy can swing at a pitch up and in and then watch a pitch right down the middle. Hopefully the Phils win the next two and beat this Mets team like they should, especially given their injury concerns.— MrPhillie
- I agree with chollie, the move should have been made a couple weeks ago. We probably would have had 2 more wins in LA,— FederalStreet
- Agree with Captain. It's all B.S. It's a non-benching benching. Take two weeks off, get your head straight, come back when you're all right.— andrewfrombrooklyn
Comment removed.- Lidge was at Citi tonight, they showed him in the 11th when Madson came in. How about a little fact checking, Andy?— veritas1325
- Yeah, Greg Gross is probably available, and so is Del Unser. Take your pick.— SteveS11
- Wow! at this point I think we can believe whatever we want about Lidge coz the chances are 50-50 that you're right. I feel like we are listening to politicians with the flip flops on the story. Does anyone really believe Lidge would be on the DL if he hadn't blown all the saves? intelligence should be offended on this one.— dlauver1
- Today is Thurs. Andy's last blog piece is dated Tuesday. Is he working p/t ??— mick314
- I don't know Mick, but it seems he is taking more vacation time than George W. Bush.— EL Zorro
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