Earlier, it seemed like the Phillies had gotten a break when it was reported that Brad Lidge's shoulder injury would only keep him out for 3-6 weeks. Well, the news just got an awful lot worse. According to Martin Frank, Lidge won't be out for 3-6 weeks - he'll be shut down for 3-6 weeks, and then he'll have to go from there.
Brad Lidge Has Rotator Cuff Tear And May Miss First Half
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:
“Best case is between 3-6 weeks to not throw at all. Then you’ve got to build up just as much on the other side, however long it takes. I’m thinking in my mind I’ve got to be back for the 2nd half and have a real good 2nd half, make sure I’m stronger than before. Not just where I was, but stronger. It’s a partial tear of the rotator cuff. If it was in the labrum, that’s game over, out for the season. The rotator cuff doesn’t have to be … It’s still a crappy feeling.”
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.
Jose Contreras is expected to close in Lidge's absence.
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