Phillies closer Lidge likely to start season on DL

[March 26, 2011]  CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) -- The Phillies shut down closer Brad Lidge on Friday with shoulder soreness and say he is likely to begin the season on the disabled list.

The 34-year-old right-hander made his first appearance in nearly two weeks Thursday. He started the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins with two outs, but was pulled after giving up a home run and back-to-back walks.

"Opening day -- I won't be ready based on what they're telling me," Lidge said Friday. "We're going to have to rest it for a while, and it's basically up to them how long they want to rest it for."

Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. confirmed that Lidge would be shut down and likely begin the season on the DL.

"It's likely, it makes sense," Amaro said. "He's likely not going to start the season healthy. We're going to be cautious with him. Again, it's about the long haul more than the short term. We have to get him healthy."

Lidge will be examined by team physician Michael Ciccotti in Clearwater on Saturday. He will have an MRI on the shoulder when the team arrives in Philadelphia on Monday.

"It's very frustrating," Lidge said. "Yesterday I was really pretty upset just because coming into camp I felt really good."

Lidge came into camp healthy after beginning two of the last three seasons on the disabled list. But after his fifth Grapefruit League appearance on March 11 in Sarasota, he was shut down with right biceps tendinitis.

He announced himself ready to return to active duty earlier this week. But his shoulder became a bigger issue Thursday, in his first game in 13 days.

"I don't know where along the line I did it," he said. "I'm sure it was pretty early in those games I was in. It's just been very frustrating that it hasn't gotten a lot smoother."

[Associated Press]

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