"It's really hard because part of me is still saying, here we go, it's almost opening day, and then reality hits you," Lidge said Tuesday before the Phillies and Pirates played an exhibition game at Citizens Bank Park. "It's like, wait a minute, you're not going to be anywhere near ready for opening day. It's really hard, and it's going to be every single day I'm not there with my team."
In Lidge's absence, manager Charlie Manuel sounded almost certain that Jose Contreras will begin the season as the closer, with Ryan Madson assuming his customary role as setup man. The two righthanders could reverse roles if Contreras doesn't work out.
"Right now, he would be the first option," Manuel said of the 39-year-old Contreras.
At this time, Lidge, 34, will not require surgery to repair the tear. Instead, he will work to build strength around the shoulder. He said he could pitch with the tear in the rotator cuff if he strengthens his shoulder and the inflammation dissipates.
Lidge had been sidelined for two weeks this month because of biceps tendinitis in his right arm, but he felt shoulder pain in his last outing, Thursday against Minnesota in Clearwater. He said he was told the biceps tendinitis did not lead to the rotator cuff injury.
It was no surprise that Lidge would not be ready for Friday's season opener against Houston, but the always optimistic veteran had hoped to return by mid-April. Former Phillies reliever Billy Wagner had a small tear in his rotator cuff in 2004 and missed 44 days.
Lidge made only six appearances during spring training, and concerns were raised while his fastball was consistently clocked in the mid-80s. Lidge has largely made his living off a devastating slider, but his slider loses effectiveness when his fastball is not at least in the low 90s.
