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Phillies' Lidge To Have Knee Surgery, Miss 3-6 Weeks

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The Associated Press

Published: February 25, 2008

Updated: 02/24/2008 11:11 pm

CLEARWATER - Phillies closer Brad Lidge is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee today and could miss the regular-season opener.

Lidge, Philadelphia's biggest offseason acquisition, limped off the field Saturday after injuring his knee when he caught a spike in the mound on his first pitch of batting practice. Doctors removed torn cartilage from the same knee in October.

The 31-year-old right-hander was expected to return to Philadelphia on Sunday for surgery today that would sideline him for three to six weeks. The Phillies open the season at home March 31 against Washington.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said setup man Tom Gordon would close if Lidge isn't ready for Opening Day.

"Ideally, if everything went right I wouldn't miss any of the season because that would be four weeks," Lidge said. "But that will be based on how it feels."

The Phillies acquired Lidge and infielder Eric Bruntlett in a November trade that sent outfielder Michael Bourn, infield prospect Mike Costanzo and reliever Geoff Geary to the Astros. Lidge, who has 123 career saves, finished 2007 with 19 saves in 27 chances and a 3.36 ERA for Houston.

When the Phillies acquired him, it allowed them to strengthen their rotation by making Brett Myers a starter again.

"Right now, if we had to do this during the season, then obviously you're missing a big chunk of the season," Lidge said. "I definitely need a few bullpen sessions, but I feel like my arm is ahead of schedule so after a week I should be able to throw again."

ASTROS: Pitcher Brandon Backe suffered a bone bruise on his right foot when he was hit by a hard grounder during batting practice Saturday in Kissimmee.

X-rays were negative. Manager Cecil Cooper said the injury wasn't serious, but he was still going to hold Backe out of Sunday's workout.

Also, Roger Clemens might show up at Astros spring training this week for a minor-league minicamp that includes his son, Koby.

The minicamp begins today in Kissimmee and Koby Clemens, a catcher in the Astros' minor-league system, is expected to participate. Minor-leaguers could check in for the camp Sunday, but neither Koby nor his father arrived before the minor-league clubhouse closed at 5 p.m.
Roger Clemens has come to the spring camp with his son the past few seasons.

BLUE JAYS: Signed Shannon Stewart to a minor-league deal and gave their former first-round pick an invitation to spring training.

The right-handed hitting outfielder spent last season with Oakland, hitting .290 with 12 homers and 48 RBIs in 146 games.

CUBS: Chicago Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa was released from the hospital Sunday evening, the team said, one day after complaining of a rapid heartbeat during fielding drills.

Cubs spokesman Peter Chase announced DeRosa's release shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday. The team initially said DeRosa was released Saturday evening, but later said he was kept overnight at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa as a precaution.

DeRosa is expected to be examined by a cardiologist today and could be back on the field by the middle of the week, the Cubs said.

His irregular heartbeat was not life-threatening, according to the team.

PIRATES: Free-agent pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim finalized an $850,000, one-year contract with Pittsburgh on Sunday, four days after agreeing to terms.

RED SOX: Terry Francona has agreed to a contract extension through 2011 after leading Boston to two World Series championships in his four seasons as manager. The deal includes club options for 2012 and 2013.

WHITE SOX: Mark Buehrle was scratched from his scheduled outing in a intrasquad game in Tucson, Ariz., because of soreness. The left-hander, slated to start the season opener, had been expected to throw two innings today. He said he felt a little tight, but it was nothing serious and he plans to pitch against Arizona on Friday.

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