Brad Lidge hoped to be ready for Opening Day, but that’s not going to happen.  The Phillies placed Lidge on the 15-day disabled list.  Given the Phillies are allowed to retro-act Lidge’s placement on the disabled list, the first day he will be available to the Phillies will be on April 5th in Cincinnati.

Although it’s a bummer that Lidge will not be available for Opening Day, starting the season on the disabled list isn’t a bad thing.  Lidge isn’t going on the DL due to knee pain.  His knee is pain free, so the surgery was successful.  Lidge just needs a little more time to build arm strength and to sharpen his slider.  Him joining the team in Cincinnati is a realistic option.

It also gives Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee a little more time to sort out the final spots for the bullpen.  Given what is available, the Phillies will now probably go with the 11-man pitching staff, meaning Chris Snelling will make the team as a 25th man.  Clay Condrey and Travis Blackley should start the season in Philadelphia, barring a player isn’t brought in from another orgainization.

Tom Gordon will begin the season as the closer with Ryan Madson and JC Romero setting him up.