Phillies closer Brad Lidge could face arthroscopic surgery on his pitching elbow, where he experienced occasional pain during the season that the team thinks could be caused by loose bone fragments. Lidge was scheduled to see team Dr. Michael Ciccotti yesterday, where he was expected to receive a more definitive prognosis.
If the Phillies' hypothesis is confirmed, Lidge likely would have arthroscopic surgery either to shave down a bone spur or remove any bony fragments that have broken off and are causing irritation. Such a procedure would not jeopardize Lidge's availability for spring training, said Rex Gary, his Philadelphia-based agent.
Gary said that Lidge had felt discomfort for "a little while," but that the closer never said he felt the condition was affecting his pitching.
Lidge struggled through a miserable 2009 season, when he blew 11 saves and finished the regular season with a 7.21 ERA. After recording three saves and a win in four scoreless innings in the National League Division Series and the NL Championship Series, Lidge was charged with the loss in Game 4 of the World Series, when he allowed three runs with two outs in the ninth inning of the Yankees' 7-4 win.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Lidge's knee, which forced him to spend time on the disabled list in June, did not bother him down the stretch, although he said head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan was revamping his offseason program to put less stress on the joint.
"He didn't have any problems with his knee at the end of the year," Amaro said. "We're going to monitor his offseason workout and, as Scott Sheridan put it, modify it, so that we're cognizant of making sure that his knee is OK."
Extension for Lee?
Both the Phillies and lefthander Cliff Lee are open to discussing a contract extension that would keep the postseason star in Philadelphia beyond the 2010 season. But both sides acknowledged yesterday that the possibility of any such deal is still remote.
"I think that we will be open to any discussions, as we have been in the past with his previous club up to a certain point," said Darek Braunecker, Lee's Arkansas-based agent. "Obviously, yes, I understand there would be considerable challenges that would apply to something like this. But can I say it is something we wouldn't? I don't think that would be fair to characterize."
Lee will make $9 million in 2010 after the Phillies exercised a club option yesterday. But it likely would take a hefty offer to entice him to sign a multiyear deal, given the demand he is sure to receive if he becomes a free agent after next season. Over the last 2 years, Lee is 36-16 with a 2.89 ERA, while allowing only 1.178 walks and hits combined per inning. After the Phillies acquired him from the Indians in July for four minor leaguers, Lee went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA, then went 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five postseason starts.
Braunecker said that Lee likes playing in Philadelphia, but that any talks about an extension would likely cease once the 2010 season starts. Amaro and assistant general manager Scott Proefrock spoke with Braunecker at the World Series, but both sides characterized those discussions as casual in nature.
"We didn't have any substantive discussions with him, and have not, but it's something we would consider at least thinking about," Amaro said. "That said, I think we have some time on that."
Phillers
Lefthander Jamie Moyer will be examined by a team doctor and could need arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee, Amaro said . . . Amaro said on Comcast SportsNet's "Daily News Live" that lefthander Cole Hamels' exit physical revealed no health problems that might have contributed to his subpar season. Pitching coach Rich Dubee said after the Phillies' loss in Game 6 of the World Series that he planned to talk with Hamels about his offseason routine and how to better prepare his body during a second consecutive short layoff. *
