Brad Lidge’s comeback from injury seems complete -- the Phillies will activate their closer in time for the start of the Mets series, the team announced Thursday.
The 33-year-old righty has spent the first month of the season on the disabled list as he recovered from knee and elbow surgeries.
Lidge wasn’t overly impressive in eight rehab appearances posting a 0-1 record with a 5.19 ERA between all three minor-league levels. But, he was “lights out” in his final six rehab appearances going seven scoreless innings.
Lidge declared himself “ready” after striking out four batters and not allowing a hit while tossing two scoreless innings Tuesday at Double-A Reading.
Lidge will be looking to erase his terrible 2009 season where he went from a perfect 41-for-41 in save situations in 2008 to blowing 11 saves in 2009.
The Phillies will send lefty Antonio Bastardo to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make room for Lidge. Bastardo was 0-0 with a 1.69 ERA, two holds and five strikeouts in 5.1 innings for the Phillies this season.
Bastardo became expendable with the return of lefty J.C. Romero last week.
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Lidge’s return couldn’t come soon enough – the first-place Mets are in town for a three-game weekend series.
