CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Just saw Brad Lidge outside the Phillies' clubhouse, shortly after he got the bad news. He will have arthroscopic surgery tomorrow in Philly to repair a damaged portion of the meniscus in his right knee.OK, I know what you're wondering. Didn't Lidge already have surgery on his knee in October, one month before he was traded to the Phillies?
Yes, he did. Here's what happened: According to Lidge, there are some small tears in his meniscus that were left over from when Lidge had his initial surgery. At the time, the doctors had hoped the tears would heal on their own. They didn't. When Lidge got his spike caught on the mound yesterday as he was throwing live batting practice, he aggravated the meniscus. But team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti, who will perform the surgery today at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philly, told Lidge his knee no longer will bother him once the damaged part of the meniscus is removed.
So, will Lidge be ready for opening day? He thinks so.
"It's 3 to 6 weeks for a full recovery, and 4-1/2 weeks from now is the first game of the season," Lidge said. "So, if I have to miss the first couple games or something like that, then we will. That being said, once the torn part is out, it's gone, and it won't re-bother you again. It's a smart procedure for us to do now."
If the recovery time is closer to six weeks, I asked Lidge if he'd be open to starting the season on the disabled list and pitching in minor league games to continue his rehab. "It's always a possibility," Lidge said. "Probably that won't be the case. I wouldn't say there's absolutely no chance that's going to happen, but it's more likely that it won't."
Lidge will be back in camp Tuesday, and he's expected to continue long-tossing by the start of next week. Earlier today, before the results from Lidge's MRI came through, manager Charlie Manuel said Tom Gordon would be the closer if Lidge has to miss significant time. For now, Brett Myers is not a candidate to return to the bullpen.
3 comments:
I really don't understand why the Phillies have refused to get sufficient depth in their bullpen. The key to the best bullpens is having 6-7 good relievers out there, as opposed to 3-4, so that when an injury crops up, it's no big deal. I believe Akinori Otsuka is still a free agent. They should sign him. Just like they should have signed Jeremy Affeldt. He only signed a one year deal, so the risk was minimal. I think this is truly the biggest difference between the Phillies, and the premium organizations (Red Sox, Yankees, etc). The top organizations have 25 guys who are productive, as opposed to 3-4 guys who you have to hold your breath when they come into the game.
Otsuka has a major arm injury. That's why he's still available. Every team looks at his medical records and it stops there.
The Phillies need to stop making trades for pitchers...it's bad luck.
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