Lidge shut down with new shoulder pain
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Lidge shut down with new shoulder pain
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Brad Lidge came to spring training healthy, a rare occurrence. He will leave Florida on the disabled list with a new, troubling injury: Pain in the back of his right shoulder.
Lidge said he will be shut down for the unforeseen future and will undergo an MRI when the team returns to Philadelphia next week. He will miss opening day.
The 34-year-old closer said this is new pain he has not experienced. He had been sidelined earlier this spring with biceps tendinitis, but the pain has now migrated to the back of the shoulder.
The Phillies are hopeful it is not a long-term issue but they will not know until the MRI is performed. They have not ruled out a structural problem in the shoulder.
Lidge, who is perpetually positive when it comes to discussing injuries, was noticably distraught Friday morning.
"I’m a little concerned because I haven’t had shoulder problems in the past," Lidge said. "That being said, it might just be – there’s other things in there you can have that can be a byproduct of just straining it and they’re not serious. That’s obviously what I’m counting on right now."
But that will not be known for a few days.
Lidge was definitely upset after Thursday's outing because he uncharacteristically chose not to speak to reporters. He struck out the first two batters he faced against Minnesota and then on the first pitch to the third batter, he felt a great deal more of pain in the shoulder.
He allowed a home run, then a single and then two walks before he was removed without completing the inning against a bunch of Twins minor-leaguers.
It was his first outing in the Grapefruit League since March 11. He had pitched in a minor-league game Tuesday.
"It didn’t go the way we were hoping," Lidge said. "Basically trying to bump up from the percentage that I was throwing at, which was that 85, 86, 87-mph range, trying to get to the next step, I wasn’t ready yet. So we’re going to have to take a little more time off and start back up again. Hopefully with a little more time to recover this time, that will get us where we need to go.”
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Lidge will "likely" begin on the disabled list. He doesn't believe it will be serious, but he admitted he cannot be sure.
"It's all concerning, of course," Amaro said. "Once we do further studies, we'll know more. We don't think it'll be a long-term issue, but it could be."
In his absence, Amaro said either Ryan Madson or Jose Contreras will close. The team will also likely break camp with 12 pitchers.
Lidge is due $11.5 million in 2011. The Phillies hold a $12.5 million option for 2012 with a $1.5 million buyout.
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Welcome to your new career as a closer, Ryan Madson.— jpk- Anyone notice that the Phillies are old, hurt and can't hit?— Joe Lis lives
- yes — justacarpenter
- Mole problems — Kenny Junod.
- Well, Ryan - you get your opportunity - make the most of it...— M60tanker
- Time for Madson to show his stuff and hopefully there are a few arms from the farm that will live up to their potential. Oy yeah...Hey Brad, CYA!— PHAZED
- Brad big part in world series win but now too much uncertainty. I know some wont agree but Madson can become elite closer. Big fan of RA but wish he had added another piece to bullpen such as Fuentes.— Don w
- The DL is thge best place for him. We don't have to watch games lost in the ninth by Lidge throwing 85 mph "fast" balls. Also, time for Madson to fish or cut bait.
No, Joe, I haven't noticed. You must be 17 years old to think 32 or 33 is old. At least wait until May to start the negativity...— Russ - This doesn't come as a shock. When you are a power pitcher and come to camp throwing fastballs at 87 MPH, something has to be wrong. I don't buy when people say "when the game is on the line his fastball will be ok' theory, maybe a reliver will increase it one or two miles, but not six or seven. When you throw hard you throw hard. It's like a boxer with punching power, you don't lose that overnight, and if he does is because of an injury and he's career could be over. Lidge has progressively lost velocity the last few years, which means his career as a closer or as player could be over, taking in consideration his age and injuries and ineffectiveness/inconsistency of late.— EL Zorro
- LOL!!!! Jeez...I never would have guessed. He feels fine but he's throwing slower that the 3rd pitcher for G Washington high school. Sure he is...— justacarpenter
- Well, the comments early on were that the Phillies would be the team to beat "barring injuries". Here we go..........— dlscholt
- Wow! Spring training has become a new version of "To Tell the Truth!" or, "What Other Secret Injuries Haven't We Been Told About?" How many games into the season will we get before losing Rollins, Ibanez, and Polanco???? Apart from, we hope, Victorino, Howard, and Ruiz, this is a group of field players held together with baling tape.— john newlin
I can't take it anymore, please end spring training NOW!- This shows Amaro's achilles heel. Anyone off the street could throw money at Cliff Lee and get him to sign here. Anyone could trade Happ and get Oswalt. But a good GM fills in the roster with a good backup 2nd basement so Utley's career doesn't end prematurely. A good GM sees that Lidge is done last year and does something about it. Amaro made the Lee deal and believed in his greatness. The fans and the team are now suffering for it. I am Oppressed.— Nuutron
- so then why didn't other GMs get Lee and Oswalt? You seem to be confusing Amaro with a fortune teller because I don't know how you're supposed to predict injuries. And I don't know what you wanted him to do about Lidge. The guy did have a 0-something ERA after July and is under contract. Then again it's always easy to be an armchair GM after something goes wrong
