Phillies to Lidge: Dont Rush!

Published on March 25, 2008 by Paul Raymond · No Comments

The Philadelphia Phillies have no plans in letting closer Brad Lidge rush himself back this time. Yesterday, Lidge was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactively to March 21st (the last major league game in which he appeared). This makes him eligible to return to the team on April 5th, only a few days into regular season. The move came after Lidge’s shaky outing versus a team of minor leaguers where he loaded the bases but got out of the jam with a double play to end the inning. Since returning to minor league games, Lidge has pitched in just 2 or 3 innings and pitching coach Rich Dubee feels he needs closer to 10. “He’s just not there yet, which is not alarming or concerning by any means,” pitching coach Rich Dubee said. “In talking to Brad, he generally needs between seven and 10 innings. And he’s sitting at two, maybe three now. It’s just not enough time to get him ready and that’s not fair to him.”

Letting Lidge sit back in Florida for an extra week might not be the worst thing in the world. For one, its only a WEEK! and at the moment the weather doesn’t look to good for the opening week in Philadelphia. So let Lidge sit back in the warm sunny Florida, and just keep throwing and not worry about the elements. The Phillies have a more then capable relief pitcher in Tom Gordon, who can easily handle closing duties for a week or a little longer if need be.

This is actually the best time of the year for Lidge to be out in my opinion. Gordon is much better suited to pitch in Philadelphia during the cooler months, before the ball starts flying out of Citizens Bank Park. He can get away with the occasional hung curve ball or his not as fast as it used to be high fastball. Another reason, is for this team to make a deep playoff run they need a solid closer, something Brad Lidge still is when healthy. If it takes one, two even three weeks in April for him to get fully up to strength, he should take all the time he needs, because without him this team will NOT make a deep run. They can’t succeed with a Tom Gordon closing out games in August, September, or October.

Lidge, I agree with the Phillies, DON’T RUSH! Take your time, get healthy and once you make your appearance at the Bank, I’ll be there cheering you on with the rest of the Phillies fans.