Late last week, Washington Nationals closer Brad Lidge was placed on the disabled list with what was described at the time as an “abdominal strain”.
Turned out to be something a bit more serious, a hernia; the good news is that Lidge is now on the road to recovery:
#Nats RHP Brad Lidge had surgery this morning to repair a hernia. Agent Rex Gary said everything went “very well.”
— Amanda Comak (@acomak) May 1, 2012
It could take up to three weeks before Lidge is cleared to throw again, and then it’s likely he’ll have to go on a rehab assignment. Thus, the Nats will have to continue to to with Henry Rodriguez as their closer, probably for another month. Rodriguez has pitched reasonably well, recording five saves, but he also leads the National League in wild pitches, with four.
Rodriguez is actually the Nats’ third choice at closer; Drew Storen, the original closer, is also on the DL, recovering from surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow.
For more on the Nats, please visit Federal Baseball and SB Nation DC.