Brad Lidge received a cortisone shot in his surgically repaired right elbow to “jump start” his preparation for the regular season.

The reliever had surgery on his elbow in November and on his right knee and likely won’t be ready to pitch until mid-April at the earliest. He had the injection Tuesday after pitching in a minor league game.

Philadelphia team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti said Wednesday that Lidge usually has soreness in his outer elbow early in spring training.  “Because he started a little bit later this year with his throwing that soreness has lingered a little bit longer,” Ciccotti said.  “It’s not at all related to the surgery he had in the offseason,” Ciccotti said. “The surgery was on the inner aspect of the elbow. In order to jump start him, we decided that we would give him an injection.”

Lidge made his fifth appearance in a minor league game this month on Monday. The velocity on his fastball, typically in the low-to-mid 90s during the regular season, hasn’t reached 90 mph yet. 

In 2009, he led the majors with 11 blown saves and finished 0-8 with a 7.21 ERA.  It would benefit the Phils to allow Lidge as much time as he needs to regain his health and get into top form before returning.  Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.