As if there wasn’t enough focus on whom Charlie Manuel would name the Phillies fifth starter in the pitching rotation; now Charlie will have an even bigger decision to make.
This one for Opening Day.
Closer Brad Lidge is coming back from various injuries and likely won't be ready for Opening Day. He faced live batters for the first time Thursday and he didn't look very dominant as he was knocked around for three hits and a run in an inning of work in a minor league game.
But, in classic Spring Training fashion Lidge said he felt just fine.
"My knee felt outstanding, and right now the main goal is to get my arm speed up to normal," Lidge said after throwing 16 pitches in the minor-league game at the Phillies' spring complex. "But the strength in my lower half is great right now."
Lidge wouldn't likely be ready to go on Opening Day so the search for a new ninth inning arm begins.
Earlier reports suggested that the ball would be handed to Ryan Madson, who filled in for Lidge on a few occasions last season. But, newly-acquired Danys Baez has experience closing with past teams so he could be in the running as well.
Sports
In partnership with NBC Sports Philadelphia
Baez has 114 career saves. Madson has 15, with 10 of them coming in last season.
Baez has more experience but the Phillies could feel as if they aren't familiar enough with the righty to assign him to the closer role.
“I'd say Madson is first in line with that,” Manuel told Phillies beat writer Todd Zolecki. “He's got a big arm, and definitely the last couple years he's gotten more experience with it. He has a chance to get even better at closing out games.”
Even if Lidge spends some time on the disabled list fans shouldn't fret too much (for now). Lidge is reportedly healing well and feels like he did in 2008, a season in which he missed the home opener but ended up having statistically the best season of his career.
Now lets hope he is lights out again while leading the Phils to another World Series title.
