Brad Lidge Injured: Pick up Jose Contreras as a short-term Closer

Brad Lidge will be out for up to six weeks with a rotator cuff injury. According to the Delaware County Daily Times, Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said that Jose Contreras will assume the closer role.

With arguably the best starting pitching staff in Major League Baseball, there will be plenty of save opportunities for the Phillies.

Last season Philadelphia signed Contreras to a one-year contract after he split time between between the Colorado Rockies and Chicago White Sox in 2009. The 38-year old isn't exactly dynasty league material, but he should be a cheap source of saves as the temporary closer until Lidge returns.

In 2010, Contreras had an ERA of 3.34, a WHIP of 1.22 and K/9 rate of 9.05.

If he has consecutive poor outings, there is a slight possibility that the current setup man Ryan Madson takes over the closer role, but based on the endorsement by Charlie Manuel, I recommend that Contreras be picked up in most league formats.

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