Brad Lidge met with Phillies physician Dr. Michael Cicotti on Saturday and was told his ailing rotator cuff appears healed.

"Things are progressing well," said Lidge. "I passed their first exam of getting into stage 2 of the rehab." Lidge said he'll need 10 days to two weeks to build strength in the rotator cuff, after which he could be cleared to begin a throwing program. This is still a pretty loose timeline, but the best-case scenario is that he'll return in late-May or early-June.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Friday that Brad Lidge (shoulder) is "progressing well."

Amaro added that Lidge will visit with team physician Michael Ciccotti on Saturday in order to evaluate his progress. Not much to chew on there, but we'll take what we can get. As of now, we're expecting a return sometime in June.

During an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM Wednesday, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said that Brad Lidge (shoulder) will likely return sometime around the All-Star break.

Specifically, Manuel said, "I'm probably looking at maybe All-Star break, or... just before that." This is similar to what Lidge said when he was first diagnosed with a right posterior rotator cuff strain late last month. The right-hander has been shut down completely for 3-6 weeks, after which he will begin a throwing program. The Phillies will have to forge ahead with Jose Contreras in the ninth inning for most of the first half of the season.

Phillies placed RHP Brad Lidge on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 25, with a right posterior rotator cuff strain.

Lidge will be shut down completely for 3-6 weeks and the will have to essentially start from scratch with a throwing program. The best-case scenario is that he's back sometime in late-May or early-June, but it could be even longer. Ryan Madson is the best arm in the Phillies' bullpen, but it looks like Jose Contreras will get save chances early on.

Brad Lidge (shoulder) said Tuesday that he hopes to be back for the second half of the season.

Ouch. Lidge actually has a partially torn rotator cuff. He's expected to be shut down completely for 3-6 weeks, but is unlikely to begin throwing for about two months. "Best case is between 3-6 weeks to not throw at all," explained Lidge. "Then you've got to build up just as much on the other side, however long it takes. I'm thinking in my mind I've got to be back for the second half and have a real good second half, make sure I'm stronger than before. Not just where I was, but stronger. It's a partial tear of the rotator cuff. If it was in the labrum, that's game over, out for the season. The rotator cuff doesn't have to be . It's still a crappy feeling." Lidge could be back in early-June and that's if everything breaks right. Jose Contreras is expected to fill-in while he's gone.

Brad Lidge (shoulder) is expected to be sidelined for 3-6 weeks.

Brad Lidge (shoulder) will have MRI on Tuesday in Philadelphia.

Lidge will open the regular season on the disabled list due to shoulder pain. The test Tuesday will reveal if there is structural damage to the shoulder. Jose Contreras and Ryan Madson are expected to split ninth-inning duties while he's out.

Brad Lidge will open the 2011 regular season on the disabled list due to shoulder pain.

Lidge began feeling the new discomfort after his Thursday appearance against the Twins. The Phillies aren't sure yet what his injury is, but they know he won't be ready in a week. Jose Contreras and Ryan Madson are expected to split ninth-inning duties while he's out.

Brad Lidge was ineffective in his return to the mound Thursday, surrendering a homer in his two-thirds of an inning against the Twins.

Besides the homer from Dustin Martin, Lidge allowed a single and two walks to the six batters he faced. He's supposed to be pain-free now after missing time with biceps inflammation, but he wasn't throwing well before the injury and he doesn't figure to open the season strong.

Brad Lidge (biceps) threw 16 pain-free pitches Tuesday in a minor league spring game.

Lidge is now aiming to pitch in Thursday's Grapefruit League tilt with the Twins. He's been slowed for the last couple of weeks by biceps inflammation but is fully expected to be ready for the start of the season.

Brad Lidge (biceps) was "very encouraged" with a 35-pitch bullpen session Sunday.

The right-hander admitted to holding back when he threw a bullpen session Friday, but he said he let it loose Sunday. "It still felt really good," Lidge said. "This is the step we needed to get me back into games. Now hopefully I'll get four or five outings in. That should be enough. I feel real comfortable with everything right now, and fortunately we've still got a few days." Lidge is slated to pitch in a game Tuesday and, barring a setback, should be fine for Opening Day.

Brad Lidge (biceps) threw a bullpen session at between 80 and 90 percent effort on Friday.

Lidge told reporters that the inflammation is gone from his arm, and he's proven it now with three straight days of successful throwing. As long as he can fit in a couple of Grapefruit League innings over the next two weeks, the veteran closer should be all set to go on Opening Day.

Brad Lidge (biceps) "felt really good" playing catch Thursday.

Lidge has now played catch on back-to-back days without incident. He expects to throw a bullpen session Friday.

Brad Lidge (biceps) played catch Wednesday without any issues.

Lidge was diagnosed with right biceps tendinitis earlier in the week. He's feeling better already, though he's not sure if he will throw a bullpen session on either Thursday or Friday.

Brad Lidge has been diagnosed with a sore right biceps tendon.

That may explain some of his recent Grapefruit League struggles. The right-hander allowed two runs on three hits in an inning of relief Friday against the Orioles. "We just wanted to back him off for a couple days," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro said Sunday in camp.

Brad Lidge is relieved to be injury-free heading into spring training.

"I haven't felt this good at this time of year in a long time," Lidge said Monday. "I've been able to get back to a strong offseason program. It's nice to work on things with no pain." The 34-year-old closer posted a 0.73 ERA over his final 26 regular season appearances last season and would make for an excellent fantasy reliever if he continues on that roll in 2011.

Brad Lidge tossed a scoreless inning to lock down Game 2 of the NLDS against the Reds.

Lidge worked around a walk of Jay Bruce in the scoreless frame. He has notched 11 consecutive postseason saves since Albert Pujols went yard against him in the NLCS in 2005. More pertinent to his recent performance, Lidge had a microscopic 0.73 ERA over his final 26 appearances during the regular season. So much for worrying about the back-end of this bullpen.

Brad Lidge returned to action on Tuesday September 14.

Brad Lidge (elbow) reiterated Friday that he is ready to pitch.

Lidge was unavailable to pitch Tuesday due to a hyperextension of his right elbow. He should reclaim the ninth inning soon enough, but it might make sense to hold on to Ryan Madson just in case.

Brad Lidge (elbow) expects to be available to pitch Friday.

"I'm not concerned," said Lidge, who added that he has no plans to undergo an MRI on his elbow. "I had a little hyperextension (Saturday). There's a little pain. I pitched through it (Monday). I'll definitely be back for sure on Friday." Ryan Madson will likely fill in Wednesday if a save opportunity is presented.