Brad Lidge made it through another minor league rehab outing, firing a perfect 1-2-3 inning for Double A Reading on Monday afternoon.
Lidge threw 13 pitches (nine for strikes) and notched two strikeouts against the three hitters he faced during the sixth inning of the Reading Phillies 7-6 victory over Trenton. He reported that his fastball velocity reached the low 90s and that the command of his pitches was better than he expected.
Lidge has not pitched in a big league game this season because of a slight tear of his right rotator cuff, but pitched in three previous rehab outings for Single A Lakewood, allowing a run on five hits with four strikeouts. He says he will pitch in four more rehab games before hopefully rejoining the Phillies in time for the first homestand after the All-Star break.
Ideally, assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said, Lidge will pitch in back-to-back games before returning to the big leagues.
The veteran closer will pitch next on Thursday for Double A Reading at Trenton.
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