Philadelphia Phillies: Brad Lidge Is Back and Bye-Bye Danys Baez

Tonight, Philadelphia Phillies closer Brad Lidge rejoins the roster after being sidelined for the whole season with a strained rotator cuff and some elbow issues.

For the Phillies, this is a good day, not only because the closer that won the 2008 World Series for them is back, but what’s even better is that the Phillies’ struggling middle reliever Danys Baez has been designated for assignment, meaning he has been cut from the team.

Lidge, who felt something go wrong in his throwing shoulder after making just six appearances in spring training this year (none of which were overly impressive), has been pretty good during his rehab assignment.

In eight games (consisting of, surprisingly, two starts) Lidge posted a 0-0 record with a 3.52 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, 10 strikeouts and allowed batters to hit .267 off him in 7.2 innings pitched.

Has Lidge been fantastic in his rehab assignment? No. But he’s way better than Danys Baez.

If you don’t understand how bad Baez has been, let me explain: during his year-and-a-half as a member of the Phillies, Baez went 5-8 with a 5.81 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP and fanned just 46 batters in 83.2 innings pitched. That sucks. A lot.

While Phillies fans will probably be somewhat excited to see Lidge return to the Phillies, more will almost definitely be thrilled to see the departure of Baez.

With that, I say welcome back Brad Lidge, we missed you, and Danys Baez, we won’t. 

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