Gordon Steps in Once Again

March 26, 2008 @ 12:23:06

By Richard Garcia
Edited by Tim Heaney

In an unsurprising move, the Philadelphia Phillies placed closer Brad Lidge (knee) on the 15-day disabled list Monday, March 24. The move was made in order to allow Lidge to rehabilitate his knee following arthroscopic surgery last month. The move was also retroactive to March 21, which was the earliest day permitted.

Lidge had begun pitching in minor league games this offseason, but the Phillies decided that he wouldn't get in enough innings before the season started and optioned to have him start on the DL. Tom Gordon (shoulder) is expected to take over the closer duties for Lidge, who is eligible to come off the DL April 5.

Lidge was brought over in a five-player trade with the Houston Astros in the offseason. The addition of the former All-Star not only strengthened Philadelphia's bullpen but also strengthened the starting rotation. The move allowed the Phillies to move Brett Myers back into the rotation after he finished the 2007 season as the team's leader in saves (21).

Recent Injury History

Lidge hadn't suffered any significant major league injuries until last season. Lidge was diagnosed with a bone bruise on his right femur near the knee cap last May. In June, he was placed on the 15-day DL with a pulled oblique muscle in his left side. During the rehabilitation process, Lidge suffered from tightness in his right knee, which delayed his return to the team until the middle part of July. He appeared in just 66 games last season, his lowest total since appearing in only six games in 2002.

Lidge's Houston History

For the most part, Lidge was a durable relief option while a member of the Astros. During his six seasons with the team, Lidge recorded 123 saves in 378 appearances. Lidge was voted to the National League All-Star team during the 2005 season and finished the year with a career-high 42 saves.

However, Lidge is no stranger to being removed from the closer role. His '06 performance didn't stop manager Phil Garner from naming him the closer for '07, but Garner had Lidge on a short leash. Lidge, who lost his job as the team's closer during the first week of the 2007 season, also lost the job in 2006. The Astros finished that year with a closer-by-committee setup.

Lidge pitched well prior to his stint on the DL with an oblique injury last year. After being activated from the DL, Lidge reclaimed his role as the team's closer after reliever Dan Wheeler failed to lock up the job and was eventually traded. Lidge finished the season with a respectable 19 saves but ended up with eight blown saves.

Gordon Looks to Rebound

Gordon has suffered through similar issues while serving stints on the DL in each of the last two seasons. Gordon will continue to pitch with a partially torn labrum; he considered undergoing shoulder surgery had it not meant he would not pitch again. Just like Lidge, who is coming off an up-and-down season, Gordon looks to improve on one of his worst seasons of the decade. He appeared in 44 games and watched his ERA balloon from 3.34 in 2006 to 4.72 last season. However, Gordon is believed to be healthy and ready for the start of the '07 season.

Fantasy Outlook

Lidge's injury isn't believed to keep him out any longer than the first five games of the season. When the team breaks camp and flies back to Philadelphia, Lidge is expected to stay in Florida. It is believed that he will pitch three times this week and next week before possibly reuniting with the club in Cincinnati.

Fantasy players who haven't drafted yet should target other options before considering Lidge. For Lidge owners who are forced to slot him in as a No. 1 closer, we feel your pain. However, the situation isn't all that bad. Lidge will likely miss only a handful of games. The odds that a closer is sitting there on your waiver wire are highly unlikely, which means if you have Lidge you should quickly run out and grab Gordon if you haven't already.

Lidge has been shaky at best over the last couple of seasons, and the move from Minute Maid Park to Citizens Bank Park isn't going to necessarily drop his ERA. Fantasy owners shouldn't rely on Lidge to be their No. 1 closer. He could serve as a No. 2 but is more suited as a No. 3. Lidge is still worth drafting despite his current DL status and could come at a decent value if he falls into the late middle rounds. Owners could hold on to Gordon if they have roster space even after Lidge returns from the DL.

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Richard Garcia
Garcia served as a managing editor for KFFL. Prior to his time with KFFL, Richard worked in managerial roles with both Frito-Lay Inc. and UPS. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in public relations from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and fulfilled his internship requirements with the Los Angeles Kings Hockey organization in 2001.

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