Brad Lidge Injury: Phillies Closer Activated From DL

Brad Lidge started spring training with a strained biceps tendon, and he ended it with a partially torn rotator cuff. That’s a kind of progress, I guess. But while rotator-cuff tears are usually season-ending things, Lidge rehabbed without surgery, and now he’s finally off the disabled list. From Jerry Crasnick:

Phillies activate Brad Lidge from disabled list. Designate Danys Baez for assignment.Seeing as Lidge gave Phillies fans heart palpitations when he wasn’t just coming off the disabled list, don’t expect him to jump right back into the closer’s role right away. Antonio Bastardo is pitching magnificently this year, and even though the Phillies aren’t sure that Ryan Madson has that certain je ne sais close that it takes to get saves, he’ll probably be ahead of Lidge on the depth chart as well.

Fortunately, it’s all good news. Matt Gelb:

Just a little discomfort, that’s all. You’d rather there be no discomfort than minor discomfort, but this shouldn’t be a major setback, and the cortisone shot ought to help.

After being cleared by doctors, though, Lidge began a throwing program that to date has gone well, and now it appears that he’s a little ahead of schedule in his recovery. Via David Hale:

Three weeks from today might be a little optimistic, but then, it also might not, and considering the All-Star break doesn’t begin until July 11, Lidge is definitely exceeding earlier expectations.

A week ago, Phillies closer Brad Lidge conceded that his rotator cuff tear would probably keep him out for a few months. On Wednesday, manager Charlie Manuel only confirmed the timetable in an interview on MLB Network Radio. Said Manuel:

Lidge said that he’s looking to get back for the second half, and Manuel’s in agreement. The big hope right now is that Lidge will have built his arm strength and stamina up to the point that, by then, he can hit the ground running and make an immediate impact.

The reason? Lidge is dealing with a partial tear of his rotator cuff. A tear is the same thing as a strain, but to see it referred to as a tear implies a somewhat greater severity. Said Lidge:

So Lidge will take it easy for several weeks and then do his best to build up arm strength and return to action. In his own words, he’s looking to come back in the second half of the season, but it’s too early to predict how he’ll do. All we know for sure is that the Phillies will be without their closer for longer than we thought just Tuesday morning.

Ryan Lawrence quotes general manager Ruben Amaro as saying that Lidge has a posterior rotator cuff strain. It’s a bad break for the Phillies, but it could be an awful lot worse, as shoulder injuries can end seasons. Lidge is not going to need to undergo surgery.