Phillies To Activate Closer Lidge

The Phillies are activating their closer in preparation for an important three-game series versus division-rival Mets this weekend:

Brad Lidge will be activated prior to the team's series opener against the Mets, which begins a 10-game homestand. To make room on the roster, the Phillies optioned lefty Antonio Bastardo to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

The menacingly-named Bastardo will likely return to the minors as a starting pitcher, a role he struggled to fill in the majors last season, after Brett Myers hit the DL. He filled-in admirably during his five relief innings this April, with a 1.69 ERA.

Lidge's replacement as the closer, Ryan Madson, has pitched better than his 7.00 ERA, but has converted just four of six save opportunities. Despite being a consistently-excellent reliever throughout his career, Madson has mostly struggled in the closer's role, which could potentially accelerate Lidge's reassuming of job. Manager Charlie Manuel remained noncommittal on whether Lidge would close right away.

Lidge is coming off a disastrous and injury-plagued 2009 campaign, in which he posted a 7.21 ERA and converted just 31 of 42 save opportunities. He last pitched against big-league hitters in Game 4 of the World Series, when he allowed 3 runs, en route to a Yankee victory.