The Phillies last years Mets?

The Phillies will start the 2010 season with 3 key components of there pitching staff on the DL.  Brad Lidge who was expected to miss the first week or two of the 2010 season due to off season surgery.  Lidge never pitched in spring training.  He received a shot in his throwing elbow yesterday.  Hopefully he is able to return to his 2008 form.  In the mean time Ryan Madson will serve as the closer.  I think Madson will do better at closer then he did last year because he won't have to switch from set up man to closer mid season.

JC Romero will join Lidge on the disable list.  Romero hasn't fully recovered from off season surgery.  I don't think losing JC will have as much of a impact as losing Lidge.  Romero had a 50 game suspension last year.  Then he was hit by the injury bug and never pitched as good as he did in 08.  Antonio Bastardo will be the lefty specialist until Romero gets back.

The final Phils pitcher on the DL is Joe Blanton.  Three days ago in a spring training Blanton suffered a oblique strain.  The Phillies didn't think it was to severe but to be safe they placed him on the DL.  This will be Blanton's first time on the DL as a Phillie.  Kyle Kendrick will take Joe Blanton's place in the rotation.  Kendrick lost the fifth starter race to Jamie Moyer.  Lucky Kyle will still end up getting the 5th spot.  I hope if he does good they would consider keeping Kendrick in there and moving Moyer to the bullpen once Blanton comes back.