Phils shut down Lidge; Contreras is likely closer

Typically, the words come easily to Brad Lidge, the chatty and accommodating Phillies closer.

But when Lidge discussed the shoulder injury that will shut him down for the first three to six weeks of the season, the words came anything but easily.

An MRI exam on Tuesday revealed a small tear in the posterior rotator cuff of Lidge's right shoulder, meaning the righthander will begin the season on the disabled list for the third time in the four seasons he has been with the Phillies. But this is the first time he has been out with a significant shoulder injury.

"It's really hard because part of me is still saying, here we go, it's almost opening day, and then reality hits you," Lidge said Tuesday before the Phillies and Pirates played an exhibition game at Citizens Bank Park. "It's like, wait a minute, you're not going to be anywhere near ready for opening day. It's really hard, and it's going to be every single day I'm not there with my team."

In Lidge's absence, manager Charlie Manuel sounded almost certain that Jose Contreras will begin the season as the closer, with Ryan Madson assuming his customary role as setup man. The two righthanders could reverse roles if Contreras doesn't work out.

"Right now, he would be the first option," Manuel said of the 39-year-old Contreras.

At this time, Lidge, 34, will not require surgery to repair the tear. Instead, he will work to build strength around the shoulder. He said he could pitch with the tear in the rotator cuff if he strengthens his shoulder and the inflammation dissipates.

Lidge had been sidelined for two weeks this month because of biceps tendinitis in his right arm, but he felt shoulder pain in his last outing Thursday against Minnesota in Clearwater. He said he was told the biceps tendinitis did not lead to the rotator cuff injury.

It was no surprise that Lidge would not be ready for Friday's season opener against Houston, but the always optimistic veteran had hoped to return by mid-April. Former Phillies reliever Billy Wagner had a small tear in his rotator cuff in 2004 and missed 44 days.

Lidge made only six appearances during spring training, and concerns were raised while his fastball was consistently clocked in the mid-80s. Lidge has largely made his living off a devastating slider, but his slider loses effectiveness when his fastball is not at least in the low 90s.

"I know where I was at in spring training, the way I finished up, throwing in the mid-80s, you know," he said. "It's not a good scenario for me, especially when it hurts to throw in the mid-80s."

Trying to look on the brighter side, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he was relieved that Lidge didn't need surgery.

"It's not something that needs to be surgically repaired, so that's a good sign, at least for now," Amaro said. "Hopefully after another three weeks, if he's feeling OK, he'll start throwing and progress from there. We're glad it's not a labrum, that's on the bright side of things, but it is significant."

Lidge pitched in only six spring training games and allowed six earned runs and 10 hits in 52/3 innings. He struggled through the first half of last season before settling in to record 27 saves with 52 strikeouts in 452/3 innings. Of course, Lidge will long be remembered for his remarkable season of 2008, when he had 47 saves, including six in the postseason, in 47 save opportunities. He was on the mound for the out that gave the Phillies the World Series championship.

But Lidge has not been nearly as dominating since '08, and he's in the final year of a three-year extension he signed on July 6, 2008. The Phillies have an option on his contract for 2012.

Contreras is coming off the first season in which he was a full-time reliever. He was successful on all four save opportunities he was given and proved durable, leading the team with 67 appearances, with 57 strikeouts in 562/3 innings. But with Contreras at age 39, there must be concerns about whether he can pitch three games in a row.

Manuel said Contreras adapted well to the different demands on a reliever.

"Last year was the first year he really pitched out of the bullpen and he learned how to get up and down in the role of a bullpen guy," Manuel said. "I think he handled it real well. I think he was consistent. He played a big part in us winning last year. He'll be fine. He's got big stuff. He's come a long way, and he feels more confident now and is more adjusted to the role than he was last year."