Brad Lidge Could Return To Phillies On Friday

It is good news/bad news on the Phillies injury front as the team announced today that they have placed all star third baseman Placido Polanco on the 15 day DL with a bulging disk in his lower back. However, they have activated closer Ryan Madson.

Polanco has clearly been suffering from the effects of the injury. As The Good Phight points out, Polly has hit .216/.276/.261 since May 1st. The move was made retroactive to July 5th, so he would be eligible to come off the DL in the middle of next week. Wilson Waldez will take over third base duties in his absence.

Meanwhile, Ryan Madson will resume his duties as closer. Antonio Bastardo, who did a fine job in his absence, will move back to the seventh or eighth inning. Elsewhere in the Phillies bullpen, Brad Lidge continues to rehab in the minors with mixed results. In his fifth rehab appearance with double A Reading last night, Lidge lasted just two thirds of an inning hitting two batters, walking another and throwing three wild pitches.

Lidge said after the game that his velocity was as good as it has been since the start of his rehab, "It was a step up for my velocity and a step back for my control. But, we've got some outings to work on that."

He says he hopes to rejoin the Phillies next friday.