Philadelphia Phillies Notes: Lidge OK in Rehab Start

Before Washington's game against the Phillies Thursday, closer Chad Cordero suffered a setback during his bullpen session. The right-handed pitcher was given a cortisone shot for shoulder tendonitis. Cordero isn’t expected to pitch until Sunday at the earliest.

The Phillies travel to Cincinnati to open a four-game series with the Reds at Great American Ballpark on Friday night.

The series opens a seven game road trip that will take the Phillies to Shea Stadium for three games during the middle of next week before they return home a week from Friday to play the Cubs.

Pitching match-ups for the Reds series are: Phillies RHP Kyle Kendrick taking on Reds RHP Josh Fogg on Friday night, RHP Adam Eaton facing RHP Aaron Harang (1-0) on Saturday afternoon, RHP Brett Myers battles RHP Edinson Volquez on Sunday, and LHP Cole Hamels (0-1) faces off against RHP Bronson Arroyo in the series finale on Monday.

The 2008 minor league season started on Thursday night with all four Phillies affiliates in action.

The Clearwater Threshers lost 2-1 to the Dunedin Blue Jays.

Brad Lidge made a rehab start for the Threshers and allowed one run on two hits. He walked one and struck out two in his one inning of work.  Joe Savery, who was in major league camp with the Phils this spring, pitched five shutout innings behind Lidge. 

The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs lost their inaugural game against the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees, 4-0. J.A. Happ took the loss, allowing three earned runs in four innings of work.

The Reading Phillies opened the season with an 8-3 road win against the Altoona Cure.  Andrew Carpenter got the win for Reading. Javon Moran went 1-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI out of the leadoff spot. 

The Lakewood Blue Claws lost to the Lake County Captains 4-0 in their season opener as Drew Naylor, surrendered three runs in his five innings of work.  Naylor was a mid-season all-star during his time with Williamsport Crosscutters of the New York- Penn League.