Lidge rejoins Phils as Mets come to town

SAN FRANCISCO - The Phillies will have their closer back when the first-place Mets come to Philadelphia.

Satisfied with his rehab from off-season elbow and knee surgeries, the Phillies will activate Brad Lidge from the disabled list before Friday's series opener against New York, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced Thursday.

To make space for Lidge, lefthander Antonio Bastardo will be optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Lidge pitched in eight rehab games between Lehigh Valley, double-A Reading and single-A Clearwater. He was 0-1 with a 5.19 ERA with four walks and eight strikeouts in those games.

But after allowing five runs over his first two rehab appearances in 12/3 innings, Lidge pitched seven scoreless innings over his final six appearances. In his last rehab game, Lidge threw two scoreless innings for Reading.

"He progressed really well last time out," Amaro said Wednesday.

Now the question is, can Lidge return to form in the majors as one of the game's top closers? Following his perfect season in 2008, Lidge blew 11 saves in 2009 and had a 7.21 ERA.

Lidge pitched injured for much of the season and didn't blame his ineffectiveness on his knee problems (which caused the elbow strain) until 2010 spring training began.

He had two off-season surgeries on his right elbow and knee. His rehab was slow to progress in spring training until he received a cortisone shot March 31.

In his final rehab outings, Lidge's fastball velocity hovered in the low 90s.

"We can always use Lidge back, of course," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Wednesday.

Whether or not Lidge steps in immediately as Manuel's closer remains to be seen. He could be eased back into the role.

But in Lidge's absence, Ryan Madson has not fared well. He is four of six in save opportunities and has a 7.00 ERA in nine games. Madson suffered his second blown save of the season Wednesday against San Francisco.

Manuel wouldn't commit to Lidge as the closer yet.

"I don't know," Manuel said Wednesday. "We'll have to see where we're at with that. I'll just play it by feel. I'll talk to him first and see where he's at and how he feels."

Bastardo pitched well while being used sparingly. In seven games, he had a 1.69 ERA with five strikeouts and four walks. But he had options left, unlike Nelson Figueroa and David Herndon, two relievers the Phillies would have had to expose if removing them from the 25-man roster.

Herndon, a Rule 5 pick, must stay on the major-league roster the entire season or else be offered back to his original club, the Los Angeles Angels. Figueroa is out of options and would have to be designated for assignment, placing him on waivers.

The Phillies like what they've seen in Herndon, despite a 6.23 ERA and 19 hits allowed in 82/3 innings. Keeping him on the 25-man roster for the entire season will be a challenge, but they appear dedicated to trying. Herndon's last two outings were in the late innings of tie games. On Wednesday, Herndon allowed two baserunners against San Francisco in the ninth, but escaped unscathed.

Figueroa has shown his versatility in a do-it-all role, having started and saved a game in the last week for the Phillies. He has a 3.38 ERA in five games.

The Phillies will face another pitching decision possibly as soon as Monday. Righthander Joe Blanton (strained left oblique) is ready to come off the disabled list and rejoin the rotation.

Who he replaces isn't as clear. It could be Figueroa, but if Kyle Kendrick has another rough outing Friday against the Mets, he could be demoted.

In that scenario, Figueroa would become the Phillies' fifth starter until J.A. Happ (left forearm muscle strain) is ready. Happ is "progressing," Amaro said, but there is no timetable for his return.