Philadelphia Phillies: Brad Lidge Returns, Danys Baez Designated for Assignment

According to a tweet from Jim Salisbury at CSN Philly, Brad Lidge has been activated from the DL and Danys Baez has been designated for assignment.

What does this mean for the Phillies bullpen?

This is a definite upgrade, although that kind of goes without saying.

Baez has had a very disappointing year by going 2-4 with a 6.25 ERA.

Over his last four appearances, he gave up 11 runs, so it makes sense that the Phillies finally removed him from the active roster.

Lidge has no statistics so far this year with the Phillies. After an injury in spring training, Phillies fans have been eagerly awaiting his return to the bullpen where he posted that memorable perfect season en route to a World Championship.

Lidge will have a different role now as he returns to Philadelphia, but he will no doubt be appreciated in a bullpen that has been struggling as of late.

His postseason experience will go a long way for a team that has a relatively young and inexperienced bullpen.

During an eight-game rehab, Lidge has looked solid throughout the appearances, posting a 3.52 ERA with 10 strikeouts in seven-and-two-thirds innings.

According to Philly.com, Lidge said that:

“Everything feels good, finally. My slider feels great right now. As I always say, that’s a real important pitch for me. That’s normally how I get guys out.”

Phillies fans are hoping that he can provide those outs in whatever role he fills in the bullpen.

If he can provide anywhere near what he did in 2008 during that final push, and the rest of the bullpen continues the success they had earlier in the season, the Phillies bullpen will join its rotation as one of the best in baseball and lead them easily toward postseason success.

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