According to the Daily News' David Murphy, Brad Lidge is looking to return to the Phillies' pen on Friday after pitching a shutout eighth inning in today's game with Lakewood.
Lidge has made eight rehab appearances, four with Reading and four with Lakewood. With Reading, he allowed two runs in 3.2 innings pitched. With Lakewood, he allowed one run with four strikeouts in four innings.
Lidge expressed confidence in a fastball that has lacked velocity throughout his rehab stint.
"One of the most important things for me is not just velocity, but the downward angle on the fastball and obviously command of it," he said. "If I've got those two things going and the velocity goes up even one mile an hour when I get back to Philadelphia, I'll be fine.''
The Phillies are set to face the San Diego Padres on Friday at Citizen's Bank Park.