Brad Lidge is having knee surgery tomorrow in Philadelphia.
He said it will take three to six weeks to fully recover.
Lidge, who reinjured his surgically repaired right knee Saturday while throwing live batting practice at the Carpenter Complex, had a MRI today in Clearwater. He said the MRI showed "no big, new tears, nothing substantially wrong. But enough on the medial side of the knee that would warrant a scope. We're going to do a scope and clean out some of the small tears and get that done with, so it won't bother me during the season."
Lidge had two options:
1) Get the surgery.
2) Let it heal naturally.
"The scope has a pretty fast recovery time," Lidge said. "Ideally, if everything went right I wouldn't miss any of the season. That'd be a good 4 1/2 weeks (away). But that'll be based on how it feels, obviously. Right now, if this came up again during the season and we had to do it then, then you're obviously missing a big chunk of the season rather than a big chunk of spring training."
The three-to-six week timeframe is when Lidge could be throwing competitively, he said.
"The first week (after surgery) you're off it, and then you start going pretty good after that," Lidge said. "It's three to six weeks before games."
Lidge had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee Oct. 1. He entered camp with the knee about 80 percent healthy.
Comments (28)
So when is Alfonseca's flight to Clearwater?
Posted by Stocker19 | February 24, 2008 2:48 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 14:48
Up next: Hamels gets Tommy John elbow surgery!needs Tommy John elbow surgery!
Posted by gimmead | February 24, 2008 2:54 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 14:54
Oh boy! Here we go again!
I'm certainly not going to panic, but can't the Phils EVER get a break?
And PLEASE.....Anyone but Alfonseco!!!!!
Posted by Norma | February 24, 2008 3:01 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 15:01
I thought they should be looking at another back-end bullpen guy and not relying soley on Lidge. Otsuka was mentioned a while ago. I think they need a back-up plan here that doesn't have the word "Alfonseca" in it. And they can't move Myers back to closer either.
Posted by s | February 24, 2008 3:17 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 15:17
I think this is not horrible news. Get things cleaned up now and Lidge should be ready to go within the first 2 weeks of the season. I would like to see Madsen, Romera be tried in the closer roles to give them some experience. It could have been much worse (ACL tear).
Posted by Dawkins73 | February 24, 2008 3:18 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 15:18
Is Otsuka formaly of the Rangers still out there? Couldn't hurt to get a little insurence.
Posted by Kev | February 24, 2008 3:19 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 15:19
So sorry to hear this. Who will be next, maybe Jimmy or Chase or Ryan... OH WELL, I bet they hate to think they need to face Johan
Posted by metfan1964 | February 24, 2008 3:28 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 15:28
let's hope it remains a minor deal and not a major situation like so many of their injuries.
Alfonseca before Mesa. preferably neither
Posted by tonto | February 24, 2008 3:44 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 15:44
Flash! ah-ahh!
Savior of the Universe!
Flash! ah-ahh!
He'll save everyone of us!
Flash! ah-ahh!
He's a miracle!
Flash! ah-ahh!
King of the impossible!
He's for everyone of us!
Stands for everyone of us!
He saves with a mighty hand!
Every man every woman!
Every child-he's a mighty!
Flash.
Posted by Matt | February 24, 2008 3:45 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 15:45
Is Charlie Sheen available? I'll pay for his glasses.
Wild Thing, you make my heart sing.
Posted by jimmymack | February 24, 2008 3:53 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 15:53
I believe Otsuka had season-ending elbow surgery.
Lidge will be ready by Opening Day or within a week or two of Opening Day. No need to hit the panic button. How much do you want to bet the Phils don't have a tough save opportunity (protecting a one-run lead in the 9th) while Lidge is out?
Gordon, Romero, and Madsen can hold the fort to pick up those phony 2 or 3-run "saves" that make up the majority of all save opportunities.
Posted by majik | February 24, 2008 4:00 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 16:00
Otsuka is still injured, Lidge will be ready before him.
I wouldn't mind seeing the Phillies sign Bob Wickman just in case though.
Posted by typhoon | February 24, 2008 4:11 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 16:11
myers back to the pen?....bad move....let gordon close,madson set up,til lidge returns
Posted by william | February 24, 2008 4:13 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 16:13
You guys need to sober up. They were just in that knee. any damage has come in rehab. just the rotation in his pitching motion is grinding. the three to six is a joke, more like 6 to 10, if he stays off it completely. the soft prediction is not to panic a soft market. they are on the phones as we speak.
Posted by jay segovia | February 24, 2008 4:31 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 16:31
Yes, I see now Otsuka had elbow surgery in January. He's out most or all of 2008. So much for that idea. Gordan's too old to overuse. I think Gordan will be okay for another year with enough rest but pressing him too hard early may mean another extended stint on the DL.
I'm with jay segovia: It will be longer than 6 weeks. It always is with the Phillies. So let's hope they can find some help out there. Can Romero close as a short term fix, with Gordan filling in some?
Posted by s | February 24, 2008 5:03 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 17:03
Okay. I posted this under the previous *topic*, but I want to make sure Todd sees it. LOL!
Hey Todd.....If you don't mind, I have a question for the Phillies training staff. Why, oh why, do they consistantly let players *walk* off the field when there's an obvious knee/leg/ankle injury???? I can't help but think, that the further damage walking on the injury causes wouldn't prolong recovery time.
Could ask them that for me??? Thanks, Todd.
And another vote for Romero to close. Or at least set-up. Gordon still makes me nervous.
Posted by Norma | February 24, 2008 5:10 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 17:10
Think back to last year before everyone in the Pen got over used...Alfonseca pitched pretty good for the first couple months or so, then he just got over woked and that was that. He still can bring it on a limited basis, every other day or few days. Just a thought! Get well soon Lidge!
Posted by clinton, nj | February 24, 2008 5:24 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 17:24
Sure, this seems bad now. But if it's only 4-6 weeks, by the time May or June rolls around, who will care? It's a long, long season.
Yes, get this taken care of now. I'd rather it be a knee scoped than it be an elbow or shoulder.
But what would you expect? A winning April? How often does that happen with the Phillies?
Posted by tom | February 24, 2008 5:39 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 17:39
On the mets blog, reporter says el duque just lobed a few, did his jogging and hung it up........half hour later, he reports in the offical after practice interview, the duque says he threw 45 hard pitches and felt great. cover-up going on.........
Posted by jay segovia | February 24, 2008 5:41 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 17:41
Not a great way to start this season, but probably not a big deal. 3-6 weeks is fine when we're sitting in February. If it is the shorter end (3 weeks) he'll end up getting about 2 or 3 weeks of spring training games and be ready for opening day. But even if it is the worst case (6 weeks), he'd be back around the second week of April. I should hope that Gordon can pick up the slack for 2 or 3 save opportunities that first week or so. Better now than in mid-season.
Posted by Realistic Observer | February 24, 2008 6:43 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 18:43
Just a couple Questions?
Did the Phillies get damaged goods? Worse than they expected?
Is this a freak accident or is anyone responsible?
Why is Lidge throwing BP in the first place?
Does Myers go back to the pen?
Posted by Brian | February 24, 2008 8:37 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 20:37
3-6 weeks? That's a joke. He'll be out a minimum of 8-12, and that's without any setbacks! Going in the same knee again to repair unrelated damage (if that's what it really is) shows that his knee is severely compromised and prone to further injury from simple repititive movement - like pushing off the rubber. The Phillies management should view this as an opportunity to bolster both the pen as well as the starting rotation. After all - Myers could well rejoin the pen once Flash Gordon once again proves that he's a has-been. I say go sign a #2 or 3 starter right now!
Posted by johnnytomatoes | February 24, 2008 8:53 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 20:53
I never knew there were so many orthopaedic surgeons reading this blog. Thanks for all of your educated opinions.
Posted by Grizzle | February 24, 2008 10:31 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 22:31
I understand the reasoning behind pitchers throwing BP, but I was wondering why they had Lidge on the mound, too. He admitted, when he signed, that he was only 80%. I wonder if they had waited a few more weeks if would have made any difference.
Posted by Norma | February 24, 2008 10:40 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 22:40
Sign Lohse now since Colon went to the Red Sox.
Posted by Glenn Koons | February 24, 2008 11:33 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 23:33
Charlie Sheen......Wild thing!
jimmymack, you crack me up!!! LOL!
Then again, the whole Phillies story is like a comedy!
Posted by Norma | February 25, 2008 1:08 AM
Posted on February 25, 2008 01:08
The number of players, particularly pitchers, with boo boos, continue to mount. I have a distinct lack of confidence in our medical staff, including Michael Ciccotti and his group, as well as trainer Scott Sheridan and his group.
Garcia, Madson, Hamels, Gordon, Myers, Eaton, Lidge and so on. This is more than bad luck,
Can we overcome this, well we have, but can we continue to have other guys step up when injuries occur? This is not a particularly good way to begin a season.
Posted by jrquixote | February 25, 2008 7:29 AM
Posted on February 25, 2008 07:29
It's time to sign Kyle Lohse, move Myers back to the bullpen and then if Lidge gets healthy, the Phillies will have the best bullpen in the National League. Imagine a bullpen of Myers, Lidge, Gordon, Madson, and Romero. That could overcome a rotation of Hamels, Lohse, Moyer, Kendrick and Benson/Eaton.
Posted by TonyO | February 25, 2008 7:37 AM
Posted on February 25, 2008 07:37