SCORES TWICE AFTER A PUCK TO THE FACE
Brad Lidge threw a bullpen session this morning in Clearwater -- his first bullpen after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee two weeks ago today -- and he and pitching coach Rich Dubee were very encouraged.
Lidge threw 25 pitches.
Lidge will throw another bullpen session Wednesday and face live hitters later this week. He could pitch in a Grapefruit League game next week.
"I was really happy," Lidge said. "I didn't feel (the knee) at all. I tried to let it go, and it felt great. I'm obviously real encouraged by that. That's a big step for me."
Lidge said he thinks he will be ready for the March 31 season opener.
"That's my goal still," he said. "And based on today I would say we moved a good step closer to that. Barring any setbacks, I think that's a very realistic goal."
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Kris Benson and Adam Eaton also threw bullpen sessions. It was Benson's first bullpen after he threw a minor-league game Saturday. It was Eaton's first bullpen after he experienced back discomfort Thursday.
Both said they felt fine.
Benson, who is recovering from right shoulder surgery, isn't expected to be ready to start the season, but the Phillies continue to be encouraged with his progress. Eaton said he doesn't expect his back to be an issue the rest of the spring, which means he should be able to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation.
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.
To submit a question for Matt Gelb's Phillies mailbag, click here.
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