Phillies Place Closer Brad Lidge On DL

An article by Hojo's Mojo    3 Comments

As reported on MLB.com, the Phillies have placed closer Brad Lidge on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right knee, and recalled catcher Paul Bako from Double-A Reading into his roster spot.

Lidge’s disablement is retroactive to June 7.

Interestingly, last season’s perfect closer has been more effective recently, posting a 1.42 ERA and .182 opponents’ average while converting five of his past seven opportunities. However, the two blown chances came in his two most recent appearances, on Friday and Saturday against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Overall, Lidge, who converted all 41 of his 2008 saves chances, has 13 saves and an ERA of 7.27 in 28 appearances, along with an 0-3 record.

Ryan Madson will likely fill the closer role for the Phillies unil Lidge returns. Madson is 2-1 with a 2.22 ERA in 29 games this season.

The 36-year-old Bako was signed to a Minor League contract on May 18 after having spent Spring Training with the Cubs. At Reading, he was hitting .357, with 10 RBIs in 42 at-bats.

Bako spent last season with Cincinnati, batting .217 with a career-high six home runs and 35 RBIs in 99 games. In parts of 11 Major League seasons, he has a .231 career batting average with 21 home runs and 186 RBI in 745 games.

He is expected in uniform for tonight’s game against the Mets at Citi Field.