Brad Lidge (elbow) received a cortisone shot on Monday.

The Phillies consulted famed orthopedist Dr. James Andrews before going ahead with the shot. Lidge is expected to begin a throwing program in approximately 7-10 days.

Phillies placed RHP Brad Lidge on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 10, with right elbow inflammation.

The saga continues. Lidge opened the season on the DL and has made only four appearances since being activated in late April. Now it's back to rehabbing for the right-hander, who has been neither healthy nor effective for over a year. Jose Contreras earned his first save of the season (and first of his career) Saturday. He should continue to get chances.

After an MRI showed no structural damage to his elbow, Brad Lidge is back with the Phillies and hopes to pitch Saturday.

The plan is for Lidge to play catch before the game to see how he feels, but if that goes well, he could be available for game action. It would seem unlikely, however, that he'd be handed a save opportunity right off the bat. Jose Contreras seems likely to pick up the odd save opportunity while Lidge feels less than 100 percent.

Brad Lidge said he'll test his sore right elbow by throwing on Saturday.

The earliest Lidge will be available is Sunday, Jose Contreras has to be viewed as the favorite for saves in the meantime.

An MRI Thursday on Brad Lidge's sore right elbow revealed only inflammation and no structural damage.

Great news. Lidge was sent back to Philadelphia Wednesday because the Phillies had concerns about the health of his right elbow, but all is well. He's considered "day-to-day" and should be available out of the bullpen at some point this weekend. Jose Contreras' fantasy value just took a small hit.

Brad Lidge was sent back to Philadelphia for an examination on his sore right elbow.

The club has downplayed the severity of Lidge's condition, but this is hardly a good sign. Already short-handed in the bullpen due to the injury to Ryan Madson, now Jose Contreras, J.C. Romero, Danys Baez, and Chad Durbin will take on more responsibility moving forward. Contreras is the one to grab in fantasy leagues.

Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said that the club will show patience with Brad Lidge, who is currently dealing with elbow stiffness.

"It's something to monitor day-to-day, and see how he feels," said Proefrock. "Remember, he's only made four appearances since he's been back. None of this is ever going to be a straight-line progression." Lidge was unavailable on Monday and was not happy with the way his arm felt after playing catch with Chad Durbin on Tuesday.

Brad Lidge (elbow) was not happy with a throwing session before Tuesday's game against the Rockies.

Lidge was unavailable for Monday's game due to stiffness in his elbow and told reporters that his arm didn't feel how he wanted it to feel on Tuesday. It's safe to say we won't see him tonight. For those in search of saves, go ahead and grab Jose Contreras.

Brad Lidge was unavailable Monday due to stiffness in his elbow.

Lidge probably should have been used in the ninth inning Monday to wrap up a 9-5 victory over the Rockies, but Jose Contreras drew the nod instead. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel is hoping Lidge will be available soon. "Lidge can pitch," Manuel said. "More than likely he'll be ready tomorrow. He's OK." The righty should be owned in all fantasy formats.

Brad Lidge picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning to protect a 5-3 lead against the Braves on Sunday.

Lidge didn't allow a baserunner while inducing two flyouts and a ground out back to himself. The right-hander has allowed just one run in 4 1/3 innings since returning from knee and elbow surgeries and appears to have earned back the trust of manager Charlie Manuel. Lidge is still no lock to continue pitching well, but with Ryan Madson out for several months Lidge should be owned in all formats right now.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel told the Philadelphia Inquirer that both Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero would be seeing more game action in the weeks ahead.

Both pitchers have been brought along slowly since their respective returns from the disabled list--Lidge hasn't yet had a save opportunity--but Manuel seems to think both are ready to resume their role at the back of the Phillies' bullpen. Lidge's effectiveness is still of some concern, but if you're dying for saves, you could do worse than taking a flyer on him.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Brad Lidge would close Friday if the opportunity presents itself.

Lidge hasn't had a save chance since coming off the DL a week ago, but Manuel thinks he's ready now.

Brad Lidge threw a scoreless ninth inning in a loss to the Cardinals on Monday night.

"Tonight he looked ready," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. "His slider was better. His fastball was better. Everything about it was better." Lidge threw 17 pitches during the scoreless frame, allowing one hit and fanning two. He averaged just over 93 mph on his heater. It could be enough for Manuel to trust him with a lead this week.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said that Brad Lidge is not ready to close yet.

With Ryan Madson on the disabled list with a broken toe, look for Jose Contreras to get a look in the ninth-inning until Lidge is deemed ready. Contreras has a 1.35 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 12/0 K/BB ratio over 6 2/3 innings this season. He could be worth a short-term investment for those in search of saves.

Brad Lidge allowed two hits -- including a home run -- in one-third of an inning during his season debut against the Mets on Friday night.

Lidge gave up a home run to Rod Barajas, the first batter he faced. He was able to secure one out, but even that was hit fairly hard. He was yanked after just 11 pitches, but there was no need to push him this quickly. Still, if Friday was any indication, the Phillies bullpen could be very shaky without Ryan Madson for a couple weeks.

Phillies activated RHP Brad Lidge from the 15-day disabled list.

Just in time for Friday's opener against the first-place Mets. It's not known whether Lidge will regain the closer role immediately, but it's worth noting that Ryan Madson hasn't exactly been light's out recently. As a result, we're probably looking at a bit of a time-share until Lidge shakes the rust off. There are many questions about how he will bounce back from offseason surgeries and a season in which he finished 0-8 with 11 blown saves and a 7.21 ERA, but he should be owned in all mixed leagues.

Brad Lidge (elbow) will activated from the disabled list for Friday's opener against the the Mets, with Antonio Bastardo being sent back to the minors.

Whether Lidge will immediately return to the closer role is an open question. It's possible that Phillies manager Charlie Manuel will ease him back into the role, which means Ryan Madson is still relevant in the saves department. Lidge obviously has a lot to prove before he is trusted in the ninth inning again.

Brad Lidge (elbow) tossed two hitless innings in a minor league rehab appearance for Double-A Reading on Tuesday.

Lidge threw 23 of 35 pitches for strikes while striking out four and walking none. He looks right on track to be activated from the disabled list on Friday.

Brad Lidge (elbow) had a scheduled rehab outing rained out on Monday.

Lidge was scheduled to throw an inning for Double-A Reading, but the game was postponed. He should be able to make the outing Tuesday and is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Friday.

Brad Lidge is expected to make his next rehab appearance for Double-A Reading on Monday.

Phillies' pitching coach Rich Dubee told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he was hoping to see better fastball command from Lidge before he is activated from the disabled list.