Brad Lidge (elbow) gave up one run in a rehab appearance at Single-A Lakewood on Saturday.

Lidge gave up three hits in his one inning but also racked up two strikeouts. It was the first run he had allowed in third rehab appearances. He's expected to rejoin the team shortly after the All-Star break.

Brad Lidge (elbow) will make his third rehab appearance with Single-A Lakewood Saturday.

Lidge has been unscored upon in his first two outings, though we have yet to hear any reports on his velocity. Assuming he doesn't suffer a setback, he should be good to go shortly after the All-Star break.

Brad Lidge (elbow) threw a perfect rehab inning Thursday at Single-A Lakewood.

Lidge needed just 13 pitches to get through the frame and 10 of them went for strikes. He's on track to rejoin the Phillies' bullpen right after the All-Star break.

Brad Lidge (elbow) will appear in another rehab game Thursday for High-A Lakewood.

Lidge gave up a pair of hits but no runs in an appearance for Lakewood Monday. The Phillies haven't revealed how many rehab games he'll need, but we suspect it will be at least a handful.

Brad Lidge (elbow) tossed a scoreless inning Monday in his first minor league rehab appearance with Class A Lakewood.

Lidge allowed a pair of singles while walking none and striking out none. He threw nine out of 15 pitches for strikes. After such a lengthy layoff, we expect he'll need several more appearances before rejoining the Phillies.

Brad Lidge is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Monday with Single-A Lakewood.

Lidge is likely to make three or four minor league rehab appearances before returning to the Phillies' bullpen soon after the All-Star break. Antonio Bastardo is currently handling save opportunities for Philadelphia and has been flawless to this point, but one hiccup could certainly change things. Ryan Madson (hand) is still sidelined.

Brad Lidge (elbow) is on track to begin a minor league rehab assignment early next week.

Lidge has thrown a couple of successful bullpen sessions already this week, reporting no problems with his right elbow. The veteran might have a chance at reclaiming the Phillies' closer gig if he is able to beat Ryan Madson (bruised hand) back from the disabled list and finds a way to dominate batters right out of the gate. For now, Antonio Bastardo is handling the Phils' save chances.

Brad Lidge (elbow) tossed a successful bullpen session Saturday and will throw again Monday.

Lidge was administered a cortisone injection last week and it seems to have done the trick. He could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment by the end of this week and is on track to rejoin the Phillies before the All-Star break.

Brad Lidge (elbow) is scheduled to throw off the mound Saturday.

Lidge had his first bullpen session Monday since needing a cortisone injection in his elbow last week after feeling soreness. The Phillies are hoping to have the reliever back around the All-Star break, and although he won't return to his closer role, the Phils could use some help in the setup department with Jose Contreras out.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says the Phillies will not attempt to trade Brad Lidge (elbow) ahead of next month's deadline in an effort to free up some money.

"I'd like him to add some depth," Amaro told Jayson Stark. Dealing with an elbow issue and making $11.5 million, Lidge's trade value would likely be extremely limited.

Brad Lidge (elbow) threw a successful bullpen session Monday.

Even though the session went off without a hitch, Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said there's virtually no chance Lidge will be activated from the disabled list before the All-Star break. The team appears to be targeting a late July return for the reliever.

Brad Lidge was examined by Phillies physician Michael Ciccotti on Tuesday and no serious damage was found in his throwing elbow.

Lidge called his recent symptoms a normal "flare up" of what he's used to experiencing in spring training and it appears that he is correct. He still hopes to return before the All-Star break, though Ryan Madson is expected to remain the closer.

Brad Lidge (rotator cuff) played catch without pain Saturday.

Lidge experienced some soreness after his last appearance in extended spring training, so the Phillies backed him off a little bit. The right-hander will play catch again Sunday and then throw a bullpen session before resuming his rehab program. Assistant GM Scott Proefrock admits that the Phillies aren't what they'll get when Lidge, who topped out at 87 mph in a recent outing, returns. Uncertainty is the right word," Proefrock said. "We just don't know."

Brad Lidge (rotator cuff) threw 24 pitches in an outing at Phillies' extended spring training on Saturday.

He allowed one hit while striking out one in an inning of work. He is scheduled to pitch again on Tuesday, and is expected to make roughly 10 appearances before coming off of the disabled list. He is not expected to immediately regain the closer's role in Philadelphia, but manager Charlie Manuel has been fiercely loyal to Lidge in the past, and it would not be surprising if he eventually re-installed him in the ninth inning.

Brad Lidge (rotator cuff) threw 40 pitches in a bullpen session Tuesday in Clearwater.

Lidge still needs about three or four more bullpen sessions before progressing to game action. The best guess right now is that he's at least three weeks away, though with the way Ryan Madson is throwing, they won't rush him.

Brad Lidge (rotator cuff) hopes to return in about three weeks.

Lidge threw off a mound for the first time earlier this week. He'll throw another bullpen session this weekend before returning to extended spring training Sunday. Ryan Madson has adjusted quite nicely to the ninth inning lately, but he could return to a set-up role by mid-June.

Brad Lidge (rotator cuff) could throw off a mound sometime during the Phillies' next home stand.

The home stand begins on Wednesday. It would obviously be a big step for the closer as he works his way back from a shoulder injury. Lidge is hoping to be back by the middle of June.

Brad Lidge (rotator cuff) played catch Saturday for the first time since his shoulder injury was diagnosed.

"It's a big day for me, for sure," Lidge said. He'll continue to play catch for a few weeks to build arm strength before progressing to long toss, bullpen sessions and eventually a rehab assignment. He hopes to be back sometime in June. "My goal all along is to be back some time in June," Lidge said. "I think that's reachable for sure as long as there aren't any setbacks. But I have to be smart here when we're building up because obviously if you set it off again, it can mean bad things."

Phillies transferred RHP Brad Lidge (rotator cuff) to the 60-day disabled list.

Things appear to be progressing nicely for Lidge, but he simply won't be ready before June, and the Phillies needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Dane Sardinha. Lidge is slated to begin a throwing program Saturday.

Brad Lidge (rotator cuff) will begin a throwing program on Saturday.

An obviously important on-the-field step for Lidge, who is still without a firm timetable for a return. More than likely, early June is the earliest we're likely to see him.