Brad Lidge throws bullpen session and shows signs of early return - MLB Update
After throwing quality fastballs in the bullpen, relief pitcher Brad Lidge is all set to return following an injury. As he underwent sports hernia surgery on May 1, it was believed he will take longer time and will keep the Washington Nationals without a
reliable option during penultimate innings.
Defeats the Nationals face in a number of games in the season can be attributed to the absence of Lidge and another injured relief pitcher Drew Storen. In some occasions, the manager Davey Johnson came out admitting issues with bullpen and talked of having
alternatives.
Apart from Henry Rodriguez, most of the pitchers in the bullpen are prone to meltdowns and hence can potentially play havoc to outcomes of the games.
Therefore, as soon as Lidge comes back, the Nationals will have one of their loopholes bridged. Their starters will be secured and will have more chances that they win games even with fewer number of innings thrown.
Meanwhile, Lidge will be preparing for his return on June 12, provided he keeps recuperating at the same pace. Although during the bullpen session pain was not felt, he will be conscious of what can reappear as a problem once again.
Lidge was pleased on gaining power in the arms right away, as his bullpen session testified.
“I’ve been pretty pleased with how fast my arm strength has come back,” Lidge said. “I was able to kind of do some real easy stuff, just keep my arm loose. Taking two weeks off, it can be pretty tough. But, really, we have to do a few things to keep it loose.
It’s come back real fast.”
To replicate consistently what he showed in the bullpen in Minor League games will be necessary to earn confidence of the manager. Given a kind of pitcher he is, with 225 career saves and 796 strike-outs, doing so will not be difficult for him.
The Nationals can envision fiery fastballs and will hope he takes them to victories at the back of fairly assailable leads in the games.
On the other hand, Lidge will tend to forget his poor shows on the mound earlier in the season and will like to begin a new journey.
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