Philadelphia Phillies Closer Brad Lidge Out Until July

The injuries keep piling up for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Their season in March is starting to resemble what the Boston Red Sox went through in the middle of last season. All of a sudden, guys start going down in batches. Boston’s organizational depth was challenged in 2010, and it looks like the Phillies will be challenged in 2011.

The latest guy to go down for the Phillies? Closer Brad Lidge.

According to the Wilmington News Journal, Lidge has a partially torn rotator cuff and will be shut down completely for three to six weeks. Once that period is over, Lidge will then begin a strength conditioning program and the goal is to be ready in the second half.

This certainly stings the nostrils if you are a Philly fan.

While Lidge is out, the Phillies will go with Jose Contreras as their closer. Ryan Madson will continue to set up.

Contreras is a must-pickup in fantasy leagues. Consider him a low-end No. 2 fantasy closer going forward. He reminds me a Fernando Rodney-type closer. He will get his saves, but make every outing exciting.

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