Friday, May 27, 2011
Posted: 4:59 p.m,Updated: 7:22 p.m.
By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com
NEW YORKBrad Lidge is set to take another step in his rehabilitation from a torn right rotator cuff. The veteran reliever is scheduled to pitch one inning in an extended spring-training game Saturday in Clearwater.
Lidge, who has been on the disabled list all season, is expected to get at least a couple of outings in extended spring-training games before starting an official minor-league rehab stint. The righthander is basically in a spring-training mode. He typically makes about 10 appearances in spring training and will probably need at least that many before the Phils activate him. If all goes well, Lidge could return sometime in the second half of June.
With Ryan Madson pitching well as closer, Lidge is expected to work in a setup role when he returns. Manager Charlie Manuel has confirmed that is the plan.
Also on the rehab trail, Shane Victorino (right hamstring strain) will play Saturday and Sunday for Single A Lakewood and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Double A Reading before being activated Friday in Pittsburgh.
The Phils will need to clear room on the 25-man roster when Victorino returns.
So who goes?
MLB
There could be several options. The Phils could scale back from 12 pitchers to 11, though that does not appear to be the preference. They could keep an eye on Ross Gloads hip injury and place him on the disabled list, if needed. They could waive Rule 5 player Michael Martinez, though that does not appear to be something the team wants to do. Organization officials like Martinez skills and would like to find a way to keep him. Sending Domonic Brown back to Triple A could be a possibility, but again, there seems to be widespread organizational sentiment to give him an extended look in the majors. John Mayberry and Ben Francisco both haveminor-league options and could beconsiderations
The team has a week to figure all this out and a lot can happen in a week.
Valdez to Cooperstown
Well, at least of piece of him. The cap worn by Wilson Valdez during his pitching victory Wednesday night is being sent to the Hall of Fame for display. Valdez pitched a scoreless 19th inning in the Phils 5-4 win over Cincinnati.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com
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