Posted: Monday, March 24, 2008, 3:43 PM | 12 comments |
 
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 The Phillies placed closer Brad Lidge on the DL, retroactive to March 21. He could be activated April 5 in Cincinnati.The Phillies placed closer Brad Lidge on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 21.

That means Lidge will open the season on DL.

He could be activated as early as April 5 in Cincinnati.

Lidge, who is scheduled to throw tomorrow in a minor-league game, had been hopeful he would be ready to open the season, but the Phillies sounded less optimistic after he threw a bullpen session yesterday. Lidge's velocity still isn't where it needs to be, so they're going to give him a little more time to build up arm strength. Lidge had surgery on his right knee Feb. 25, which set him back.

"I'm a little disappointed, but I understand the move," Lidge said. "I hope we blow out everyone and I wouldn't have had anything to worry about anyway."

Setup man Tom Gordon becomes the closer until Lidge returns to action.

"We have the luxury of having Flash, so this makes sense," Lidge said of Gordon. "Hopefully those few more outings will put me at 100 percent. I usually need about 10 outings to get ready in spring training and this will put me right about there."

Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 3:43 PM  Permalink | 12 comments
12
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:23 PM, 03/24/2008
    I have a feeling this is this first dl trip of many for lidge this year...
    alexg114
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:56 PM, 03/24/2008
    Evidently, Lidge is not aware of how cold the offense usually is in the first week of the season. Save the hoping for us fans, Brad...
    Mike H.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:41 PM, 03/24/2008
    April, May or whenever, just make sure he's 100% when you do bring him back! Flash should do well enough until that time.
    DJ
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:41 PM, 03/24/2008
    right on DJ, no rushing him back. This is a good move!
    Clinton, NJ
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:12 PM, 03/24/2008
    Beavis08 has a while to wait, as our boys in Chester don't kick off until 2010 :) Go Phils! Good call on both Lidge and Benson; worse that can happen is have them come back too soon and Freddie Garcia themselves.
    Timmy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:42 PM, 03/24/2008
    Hmm...I am being presumptuous with the Benson decision, as it hasn't been made yet, has it? Are my insights tellings me something? Oops?
    Timmy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:50 PM, 03/24/2008
    I cant wait for BASEBALL to start!! F football!
    Clinton, NJ
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:17 PM, 03/24/2008
    Looks like a long season for the Phillies. Pitching is the name of the game. At least we have 'Flash', even if he is 42 years old.
    wes
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:40 AM, 03/25/2008
    Phillies pitching will be fine. Hamels and Myers will provide a great 1-2 and Moyer, Kendrick, and Kris Benson will get the job done. This team improved defensively at 3rd and CF and will score a ton of runs. People are making too much of the #5 Starter, it's only someone that can give you 5 or 6 innings. Maybe Carlos Carrasco by September?
    Casey
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:10 AM, 03/25/2008
    so Lidge will take a little longer than expected, so what? Don't overlook the great outlook on Eaton. With the exception of Lidge, the bullpen is looking pretty good and the Lidge thing is hopefully temporary. I like the pitching outlook so far.
    joey bagadonuts


12 comments
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