Wednesday was a bad day for the Phillies’ pitching staff.

First, we learned that closer Brad Lidge received a cortisone shot for inflammation and soreness in his right elbow. The Phillies’ claim it is only a minor setback in his recovery from two off-season surgeries, one of which was on the inner part of his right elbow. The soreness is on the outer part of the elbow and is something Lidge normally has in spring training.

“Coming into spring training, every year Brad has some lateral — or outer — elbow soreness,” said Phillies’ team physician Michael Ciccotti. “It’s just part of his reconditioning routine. Because he started a little bit later this year with his throwing because of those two surgeries, that soreness has lingered a little bit longer. Normally it resolves by the second or third week in March.”

The soreness, however, has lasted longer than normal, which could explain why Lidge’s velocity remains in the high 80′s. According to Ciccotti, Lidge’s timetable for return remains mid-April, although the home opener on April 12, an earlier target, is unlikely.

Shortly after the news about Lidge broke, the Phillies’ new ace, Roy Halladay, was touched for four runs in the first inning during a Grapefruit League matchup against his former team, the Toronto Blue Jays. He would settle down in the second and third innings and the outing is not a cause for concern. It was simply a tune up for Monday’s season opener in Washington.

“I wasn’t aggressive,” Halladay said. “I just kind of guided pitches. [I] just didn’t really make an adjustment until later on. Obviously, the second and third were a lot better. It’s a good reminder — you go out there and kind of pick and be too cautious instead of just throwing the ball aggressively. It felt like it got better after that.”

After the game, news broke that Joe Blanton, currently slated as the Phillies’ third starter, injured an abdominal muscle during a bullpen session. General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. said that Blanton would meet with Ciccotti on Thursday.

“He may have tweaked it,” Amaro said. “We’ll check him out tomorrow [Thursday].”

Asked if there was a chance Blanton could open the season on the disabled list, Amaro said, “We’ll know more tomorrow.”

Blanton allowed 11 hits and 11 runs in five innings in a minor-league game on Monday. If he should have to miss any time, Kyle Kendrick will fill in as the fifth starter. Kendrick battled Jamie Moyer for the last spot on the starting rotation and had his strongest Spring yet.