Phillies promise to ease Lidge into closer role, nice and slow

Brad Lidge will be activated from the disabled list in time for the Phillies’ series opener against the Mets on Friday, but Charlie Manuel stressed that there’s no need to rush Lidge into the closer role because “we’ve got all night, baby.”

“We’re just gonna take our time and do it right,” Manuel said in a baritone, filling two glasses with Dom Perignon. “I wanna make sure Brad is completely comfortable, then we’ll just ease him right up in there, nice and slow.”

Despite his gentile approach with Lidge, Manuel doesn’t plan on wasting any time sticking Jimmy Rollins all up in that sweet leadoff spot when he returns from the disabled list.

Zaki is the Chief Rocka and senior writer for PhillyGameday.com.