Lidge has elbow soreness
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Lidge has elbow soreness
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
With a one-run lead Tuesday, Charlie Manuel stuck with his setup man, Ryan Madson, for the ninth even though the righthander had already pitched in the eighth.
That's because Phillies closer Brad Lidge wasn't available.
Following the 8-7 victory over Florida, Manuel revealed Lidge has had soreness in his right elbow, the same one that was surgically repaired in the off-season and has forced Lidge to spend two trips on the disabled list in 2010.
Manuel said Lidge will likely not be available until at least Friday. The Phillies are off Thursday.
"I'm always concerned," Manuel said. "It came up two days ago. He pitched and it's a little tender."
Lidge downplayed the injury. He said Phillies team physician Michael Ciccotti looked at the elbow and decided no MRI was necessary.
"I'm not concerned," Lidge said. "I had a little hyperextension (Saturday). There's a little pain. I pitched through it (Monday). I'll definitely be back for sure on Friday."
In Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader, Lidge recorded his 21st save of the season. He allowed a hit but struck out two.
Lidge has a 3.38 ERA this season. Since blowing a save July 31 at Washington, the closer has allowed just one earned run in 16 1/3 innings.
"It is different from what I had before," Lidge said. "But instead of trying to throw through the pain and maybe make it worse, we decided I should take two nights off. It really is minor."
Haven't we seen this movie before?— andrewfrombrooklyn- His fastball velocity has been down all year so nothing surprises me. Add to that the fact that Madson has to pitch every night and his arm must be about to fall off, things might get shaky.— Sewellmatt
- Madson has pitched quite a bit recently, as has Lidge, but the difference has been in the number of pitches throw. Starting last Wednesday, Madson has thrown 54 pitches, appearing in five games, while Lidge has thrown 82 pitches, appearing in four games. If the game is close tomorrow night with the Phillies leading in the 9th, look for Mathieson or Contreras (who threw 16 pitches tonight) to close. Pray that the Phillies have a large enough lead that a true closer will not be needed.— chuckw
- I agree chuck, I would like to see the offense have another good night and not have to use the key pieces of our bullpen. I just got home from work, so I haven't checked to see who is pitching for them tomorrow, that's what will determine how things go...I don't think the reason our offense exploded so much tonight is because of the batting order as it is VVolstad's pitches being elevated...— phigglesfan75
- For crying out loud these guys pitch one maybe two innings and their arms Must be "about to fall off" according to Sewell?????? Cmon, give me a break...highly paid crybabies...manup...or find another profession...— merlinknghts
- Rob Dibble, is that you? And why are you commenting on a philly.com story? ... merlin, do you see any of these "crybabies" crying, or do you see Lidge saying it's no big deal? Doofus.— Nutburgers
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I am not ready to see Mathieson in a close game...not at this stage of the season...I want the guys out there getting paid the big bucks!- There is no way Charlie puts Mathieson in to close a game. That's just crazy. He'd go with Durbin, Ramirez, or Bastardo before Mathieson.— Bartleby
- Here we go again. Not good timing.— Murrayag11
- Everyone needs to calm down. Say what you want about Lidge, but he doesn't make excuses. I'm sure he'll be fine - nothing wrong with erring on the side of caution.— PhlyinHigh08
- Merlin is a field hockey devotee and only comments on baseball while his skirts are in the drier.— mick314
I hope Baez pulls a hammy taking a dump in the iron pigs clubhouse - if they bring him back to the active roster it will be a hige mistake. i'd rather have herndon, superbad zagurski, or any other body they could roll out to the mound, than baez.— CosmoK- Merlin and Schmeckel are at Denny's right now if anyone wants to get in on the banter— stoky
- Who is Ramirez?— Captain
