Lidge to have knee surgery

Brad Lidge, Philadelphia's biggest off-season addition, is scheduled for arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday that will sideline him for 3-6 weeks. He limped off the field Saturday after catching a spike in the mound on his first pitch of batting practice.

Doctors removed torn cartilage from the same knee in October. This time, they'll remove all or part of the damaged meniscus.

"Ideally, if everything went right I wouldn't miss any of the season because that would be four weeks," Lidge said Sunday in Clearwater, Fla. "But that will be based on how it feels."

The 31-year-old right-hander was expected to return to Philadelphia on Sunday for surgery. The Phillies open the season at home March 31 against Washington.

Philadelphia acquired Lidge from the Houston Astros in a November trade. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said setup man Tom Gordon would close if Lidge isn't ready for opening day.

"Right now, if we had to do this during the season, then obviously you're missing a big chunk of the season," Lidge said. "I definitely need a few bullpen sessions, but I feel like my arm is ahead of schedule so after a week I should be able to throw again."