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It's the landmark 69th edition of the PhoulBallz Minor League Podcast with our special guest Phillies pitcher Justin De Fratus . Joining the program in studio, Justin sat in for an extensive interview talking about his time in the minors, his past "controversial" Twitter comments as well as playing for Charlie Manuel and Ryne Sandberg . He also shares stories about initiating former teammate Brian Gump to Class A ball and how former big league All-Star Brad Lidge impacted his approach after Lidge's retirement plus loads more. Use the media player below to stream the full episode, or simply download it by clicking HERE . You can also check out previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes .

Lidge warms up prior to a 2011 rehab outing On Sunday evening, news broke that former Phillies closer Brad Lidge is set to announce his retirement from being an active player. The 35-year-old Lidge had a difficult stretch since he helped the Phillies lock down their second ever World Series title in 2008.  In recent years, the right-hander dealt with injury issues and missed considerable time with the Phillies and Nationals. Last season, Lidge was released by Washington after posting a 0-1 record and a 9.64 ERA in 11 appearances. Lidge, who was acquired by the Phils in a trade with Houston in 2007, became a legendary figure in team history as he converted all 48 of his save opportunities, including the postseason the following year. In his 11-season big league career, Lidge posted a 26-32 record with 225 saves as well as a 3.54 ERA and was named an All-Star twice. The news of Lidge's retirement is the first bit of major news to come out of the Major League Baseball ...

The above images feature Brad Lidge sporting the uniform of division rival Washington, while outfielder Raul Ibanez is seen rocking a different color pin stripes than folks might be used to, the New York Yankees' blue. Both pictures seem a bit odd and force me to wonder which one would bother Phillies fans more. The 35-year-old Lidge is best known for his "perfect" 2008 season, when he led the Phillies to their second ever World Series title by successfully converting all 48 saves chances in the regular and postseason. Ibanez, who will turn 40 years old in June, left the Phillies as a free agent after becoming an All-Star and patrolling leftfield for Philadelphia over the past 3 years. What is fairly stunning is that this pair that earned an estimated combined total of $24 million in 2011, will now earn a measly total of $2.1 million in base salary with their new organizations in the coming season. Such is the professional life of a pair of aging stars as they move ...

The west coast swing continues for the Phillies (74-40) beginning Monday night, as they travel to Los Angeles to start a 3-game series against the Dodgers (52-61). After having their 9-game win streak snapped at the hands of San Francisco on Sunday, the Phillies look to begin a new one with their ace on the mound. Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay will start the series opener and will be looking for his league leading 15th win. Los Angeles will counter with righty hurler Hiroki Kuroda, who has been outstanding against the Phillies in the regular season. The Phillies received word on Monday that is set to impact their lineup, as center fielder Shane Victorino has been served a 3-game suspension for his involvement in the bench clearing incident in a game against the Giants on Friday. The suspension would have begun Monday and lasted throughout this series, but Victorino has appealed. When the teams met earlier this season in Philadelphia, the Philli...

The Phillies (61-36) return home to begin a 4-game series with the Padres (44-55) on Friday night at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park. Returning from the disabled list and joining the active Phillies roster for the first time this season, following a long rehab process in the minors for his injured shoulder and elbow, Brad Lidge will rejoin the club he helped reach the post-season each of the past 3 seasons. With 99 saves as a member of the Phillies, Lidge ranks fourth all-time in team history, 13 behind Jose Mesa for the top spot. To make room for Lidge, Philadelphia designated Danys Baez (2-4, 6.25 ERA) for assignment. Baez struggled in recent weeks, posting a 14.89 ERA since May 25th. Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups as well as plenty more statistical information for this series. Friday, 7:05PM. Cory Luebke (3-3, 2.57 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (11-5, 2.71 ERA). The lefty Luebke is 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA in his last 4 starts. In 16 road outings this year, Luebke has ...

Brad Lidge, in what was slated to be his final rehab appearance in the minors before the Phillies activate him to the MLB roster, tossed a 1-2-3 inning for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws against the Greenville Drive (Red Sox affiliate) on Wednesday afternoon. In a scoreless 8th inning, it took Lidge 10 pitches to retire all three batters he faced. He induced a ground out from lead-off batter Wilfred Pichardo, struck out speedster Felix Sanchez with a slider and got Philadelphia area product Sean Coyle to ground out as well. Unfortunately for Lidge, who has been clear about his desire to add some velocity before he makes his big league return, his fastball again peaked at 88 MPH on Wednesday, which is where it has been since early in this rehab process. Following the outing, Lidge expressed his relief regarding being finished with the recovery from his shoulder and elbow strains as well as some excitement about rejoining his teammates in Philadelphia. "It's crazy. It's ha...

On Sunday afternoon, Brad Lidge and Shane Victorino competed for the Double A Reading Phillies for the second straight game against the Trenton Thunder at Waterfront Park, as both men rehabbed from injuries. On consecutive days, both men contributed to a Reading victory, as the R-Phils chase Trenton for the Eastern division Wild Card spot in the Eastern League. Victorino, batting lead-off and playing center field on Sunday, took highly touted lefty pitching prospect deep, out of the stadium in the 1st inning, and rounded 3rd base before Reading manager Mark Parent, manning the coach's box, informed Victorino that the umpire had called it foul. Victorino then sarcastically thanked the umpires for letting him practically round the bases before informing him of the call. He then returned to the batters box and worked a walk. Later in the frame, Victorino stole home on the back end of a double steal. The 30-year-old All-star batted again in the 2nd inning, striking out against Banue...

TRENTON, NJ- A pair of Phillies big leaguers thrilled fans in attendance on Saturday night at Waterfront Park, home of the Trenton Thunder. On rehab assignments with Class Double A Reading, relief pitcher Brad Lidge and Gold Glove Award winning outfielder Shane Victorino contributed to a convincing victory, as the R-Phils won in a rout, 13-2. At the plate, as the team's designated hitter, Victorino, who has been sidelined with a right thumb injury, went 3-for-5 with two singles and a double, while driving in a run. The right-handed Lidge, out with shoulder and elbow ailments, breezed through a 1-2-3 inning on 12 pitches, striking out one batter, inducing a fly out and throwing out the third batter on a come backer to the mound. The 30-year-old Victorino experienced discomfort in his thumb during batting practice and in the game. He was sure it was something that he could and should play through. "The pain's tolerable and that's all that I was worried about,...

TRENTON, NJ- Brad Lidge made his second rehab appearance for the Double A Reading Phillies on Thursday night and it didn't go as well as the veteran reliever or the team had hoped. Lidge struggled with his command and turned in a rather poor outing for the club that entered the night in a playoff race, 1 game behind division rival Trenton for the Wild Card spot in the Eastern Division. On the disabled list since spring training with a strained right rotator cuff, Lidge experienced an elbow strain when he was working back from that issue in late May. In his outing against the Yankees affiliate in Trenton, Lidge displayed difficulty with his control as he threw three wild pitches, hit two batters, walked another and gave up a single, all while letting up two earned runs on 28 pitches in 2/3 of an inning. After the disappointing performance, Lidge was composed and focused on some positive aspects, having reached 89 and 90 MPH on scouts' radar guns, according to some reports. ...

On Thursday night, Brad Lidge appeared in his second game this week for the Phillies Class A affiliate, the Lakewood BlueClaws. On a rehab assignment, Lidge started the game, throwing 13 pitches (6 fastballs, 7 sliders) and striking out two Kannapolis Intimidators batters in a perfect inning of work. Previously, on Monday, Lidge tossed a scoreless frame against the Hagerstown Suns, while surrendering two hits. The outings in Lakewood have been quick. Lidge's road back to the Citizens Bank Park mound has not been, however. The 34-year-old former All-star closer has been sidelined with injuries since spring training. After initially working his way back from a rotator cuff strain, Lidge began experiencing elbow discomfort while pitching with the Phillies' extended spring training team at the end of May. The right-handed Lidge was clear about needing at least a few more rehab outings, but he is not sure when he could be activated by the Phillies. Lidge says that the way his f...

Philadelphia relief pitcher Brad Lidge made his first official regular season rehab appearance of the 2011 season on Monday night for the Phillies Class A affiliate the Lakewood BlueClaws. Lidge tossed a scoreless inning to start the contest, against the Nationals affiliate, the Hagerstown Suns. He threw 15 pitches, 9 of which were strikes. Initially, the outing wasn't looking too great, as Lidge surrendered hits to the first two batters of the game. However, he quickly induced a grounder to shortstop Edgar Duran for a double play, then wrapped up the opening frame on a ground out to third baseman Moose Mattair. The right-handed Lidge, who has been out of action since spring training with elbow and shoulder issues, was rather satisfied with his effort and is hoping to progress without any setbacks. "I’m not taking any day for granted," Lidge told Tony Graham of the Asbury Park Press . "That actually felt really good to get out there and the first time pitchin...

This afternoon, Phillies pitcher Brad Lidge appeared in an extended spring training game in Tampa against the Yankees club, as he rehabs his strained right rotator cuff. The former All-star reliever has been on the disabled list since spring training and has not appeared in a Major League game this year. The 34-year-old right-hander made his extended spring debut with the Phillies club on Saturday, throwing 24 pitches, while allowing a hit and striking out one batter. On Tuesday, Lidge recorded 5 outs in the same inning, as the rules in extended spring games can be altered a bit in order to accommodate the likes of rehabbing players. After walking the lead-off batter on 4 pitches, Lidge settled in, striking out the next 2 batters, forcing a pop up, striking out another and then wrapping up his game action with a fly out. Following his efforts in his outing on Tuesday, Lidge told a source that he feels he'll be ready to pitch again after 2 days and that his next rehab appearance sh...

In Clearwater on Friday, the Phillies continued a hot spring and beat the Braves 3-1 to continue leading National League teams in the Grapefruit League in wins with 18. Joe Blanton shined in the contest, throwing scoreless inning in which he allowed just 5 hits, no walks and struck out 4 batters. In addition to dominating on the mound, Blanton added a single at the plate for the defending NL East division champions. The Phillies took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning when, with Luis Castillo on base, Jimmy Rollins mashed a pitch from former Phils hurler Rodrigo Lopez deep to right and out of Brighthouse Field. Ryan Howard added a run in the 3rd inning, when he drove a towering fly ball off the top of the left-center field wall for a triple, plating Rollins. Placido Polanco played three innings for the Phils at third base and went 0-for-2. Polanco had missed time over the past week with left elbow soreness. Additionally, the Phillies announced Friday that, for the third time i...

As a new season, that Philadelphia players and executives alike feel is "World Series or Bust", approaches, all Phillies pitchers and catchers reported to Clearwater, FL for their entry physical examinations on Sunday, prior to the start of workouts. The biggest story in all of Major League Baseball this off-season, the Phillies' pitching rotation, will jointly be on the field and answer questions from the media for the very first time on Monday. The return of Cliff Lee to Philadelphia completed what many say could be the greatest pitching rotation in modern baseball history, adding him to last year's group of starters, Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay, 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt and Joe Blanton. With the rotation filled to the brim, the Phillies' bullpen has some potential vacancies. Reports out of camp on Sunday had closer Brad Lidge actively campaigning for the return of his close friend, pitcher Chad Durbin, whose contract with the Phillie...

No one is really giving the Reds a chance in the National League Division Series. Their own poor track record at Citizens Bank Park (losing the last 6 games there, dropping 10 of 12 there over the past 3 seasons) combined with the trio of starting pitchers and the potent lineup they'll have to face, plenty of baseball analysts and observers virtually have placed the Phillies into the League Championship Series already. Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker will send right-hander Edinson Volquez to the mound, hoping to prove the doubters wrong. Philadelphia will counter with NL Cy Young Award contender Roy Halladay, who will be achieving a life-long goal by making his first career postseason appearance. Halladay, widely considered an elite pitcher in Major League Baseball, has watched the playoffs on television for his entire career, until this year. Halladay wanted to pitch for a title contender so badly that he passed up the opportunity to test free agency, and instead signed a contract ...

With Jimmy Rollins still out of the lineup, the Phillies will need to continue battling division rivals, with a playoff berth on the line, minus their former league MVP and multi-time All-star. Rollins traveled back to Philadelphia to visit team doctors for his injured right hamstring, while the Phillies (83-61) travel south to begin a 3-game series against the Marlins (73-69). Initially, Rollins was expected to return to the lineup after resting a few games, but when the injury did not subside, Rollins was scheduled to have his leg examined. Philadelphia has posted a 13-4 record since being swept by Houston at home last month. The Phillies will try to continue their hot streak by sending Joe Blanton to the mound for game 1 of the series. Blanton, who missed the opening month of 2010, has improved lately (3-1 record, 3.67 ERA in 11 second half starts), after a poor start to his season (3-5 record, 6.41 ERA in 13 first half starts). Florida will counter with lefty Andrew Miller, who wil...

A pair of key Phillies contributors were sidelined this week, as both Jimmy Rollins and Brad Lidge were inactive with new ailments. Rollins, who has already spent two stints on the disabled list this season with a calf injury, strained his right hamstring while running out a double on Wednesday against the Marlins. He was removed from the game and sat out Friday's contest in New York, following a day off. Rollins is expected to sit out Saturday's afternoon contest against the Metropolitans and quite possibly Sunday's series finale as well. No additional rest should be required, provided Rollins does not experience a set back. Lidge hyperextended his elbow last weekend, and the condition worsened as he continued to throw after feeling discomfort. The decision was made to give Lidge a few days off, and after throwing a side session without a set back on Thursday, Lidge is expected to throw for the Phillies this weekend in New York. Early reports that Lidge would be available ...

The Phillies (73-57) seem back in control after recovering from a poor 4-game effort against the Astros by sweeping the team with the best record in the league in San Diego over the weekend. Philadelphia will visit Los Angeles for a 3-game series against the Dodgers (67-64) beginning Monday night. Roy Halladay looks to take over the lead in all three pitching triple crown categories (Halladay already leads the National League in strike outs and ERA), as he needs a win to tie Ubaldo Jimenez and Adam Wainwright for the league's top spot with 17 W's. LA will counter with Japanese born hurler Hiroki Kuroda, who was an excellent history against the Phillies, posting a 1-0 record and a 0.95 ERA against them in 3 starts. The two teams have met the last two season in the playoffs, with the Phillies coming out on top both times. Philadelphia currently leads the Wild card race, by 1 1/2 games over San Francisco and sits 2 games behind the Eastern division leading Atlanta Braves. The Dodg...

Riding a 5-game win streak, the Phillies (53-46) will play host to the Diamondbacks (37-62) for a 3-game series beginning Tuesday night. The highlight of the series will be a pitching match up set to feature pair of pitchers who threw no-hitters this season. Arizona's Edwin Jackson tossed a no-no against the Rays on June 25th. Phillies ace Roy Halladay threw a perfect game against the Marlins on May 29th. The two history makers will face each other in the second game of the series on Wednesday night. The defending National League champions have swept back-to-back 4-game series at home against the Reds and Rockies. The 8 wins are the Phils' longest home winning streak since 1991, when they won 16 straight in Philadelphia. Read ahead for analysis on the pitching match ups and other key details from this series. Tuesday, 7:05pm. Rodrigo Lopez (5-9, 4.58 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (7-7, 3.40 ERA). In 9 road starts this season, RoLo is 2-4 with a 4.27 ERA. Brian Schneider is 4-for-7 (.57...

The 2nd place Phillies (30-26) will play host to the 4th Marlins (26-28) for a 3-game series starting Tuesday night. Each team has won 3 times out of the previous 6 meetings this season. The Phillies have won just one of their last seven series played and hope to get things turned around as Kyle Kendrick takes the mound in the series opener. The Marlins will counter with Chris Volstad. The Phillies' struggles (11 losses over the last 15 games) could be pinned on the slumps that usual offensive stand outs like Jayson Werth and Chase Utley are dealing with. In that 15-game span, Werth is batting .125, while Utley has a .140 average. The Marlins are looking to get back over .500 by adding power hitting prospect Mike Stanton, who hit 21 homeruns in 52 games with Double-A level Jacksonville this season. Stanton is slated to make his Major League debut on Tuesday night. Read ahead for details on the pitching match ups for this series, as well as loads of other stats. Tuesday, 7:05pm. Chr...