Lidge could pitch in minors next week
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Lidge could pitch in minors next week
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
He remains the defining image of a championship, yet is beyond forgotten in a season of success. But shortly after 3 p.m., Brad Lidge started agility drills in right field at Citizens Bank Park and then walked to the bullpen where he threw in front of Rich Dubee.
"Honestly," Lidge said, "my shoulder right now feels like nothing ever happened."
Lidge radiates optimism and the partially torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, complicated by further elbow issues, has tested his faith. But the erstwhile closer could actually be nearing a major step: Sometime next week, he could begin an official rehab assignment with either double-A Reading or triple-A Lehigh Valley.
"I'm hoping," Lidge said. "If they let me… I feel good enough to do it."
Dubee said it is a possibility.
"We'll judge that when we have to judge that," the pitching coach said. "He threw well."
Lidge said he plans to play catch Thursday, then throw another bullpen session at one of the minor-league affiliates. Once he begins his official rehab assignment, he can spend a maximum of 30 days pitching in the minors.
His hope is to return before the end of July.
"If there are no setbacks," Lidge said, "I would think so."
That, of course, is not a given. Lidge was pitching in extended spring training games a few weeks ago when soreness in his elbow developed. That paused his recovery.
Read more in Thursday's Inquirer.
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i remember the phils used to have a pitcher named lidge.. had an incredible year in 2007 when the phils won it all.. whatever happened to that guy? is the lidge in this article related to the lidge i am talking about?— zwarte piet- Fool me once...— Mike P
- And that was some title in 2007!— Mike P
- :P 2008..... thats what i get for being a smartazz— zwarte piet
- Could give us some entertainment— shawnmac
- I love how the brainless fail to realize he was a top 1o closer in the second half of last year. No doubt Madson should get his job back but if Lidge can have last years resurgence he would be the best set up guy in baseball.— KINGOFZED
Comment removed.- If Lidge has anything left in the tank, we need to use it. If not this should be Lidge's last season here. Lets hope he still has some magic left in his arm.
— PhillyFever - Phillly fans are supposedly noted for being behind guys who give it everything they've got. Some of them seem to forget that Brad Lidge is one such guy.— dasher
- Who is this Lidge guy?
- madson-lidge -or is it lidge madson?— HO HUM
- Stick a fork in eem.— RAS
- In August and September of last year, Lidge was 17 for 18 in save opportunities. In 24.2 innings pitched during those two months, he gave up 11 hits and 11 walks (for a WHIP of 0.89) and two earned runs with zero home runs. He had 25 strike outs in his 24.2 innings. Does that qualify him as a top ten closer for that time frame? Yeah, I think it does.— raltman
- Honestly," Lidge said, "my shoulder right now feels like nothing ever happened."
Where have I heard that before?— scootch - All of these players say they feel great...right up until they finally admit they don't. Watch Lidge's velocity. If he comes back throwing 92/93+ he will be fine. If he is 89/90, the he is JC Romero bound.— kdavis2172
