Reliever Brad Lidge Designated for Assignment by Nationals

Relief pitcher Brad Lidge was designed for assignment today by the Washington Nationals after he gave up five runs in one inning in two appearances against the New York Yankees this weekend.

Lidge, 35, who signed a one-year free-agent deal with the Nationals, was a two-time All-Star in six seasons with the Houston Astros and four with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Lidge is 0-1 with two saves and a 9.64 ERA in 11 appearances this season with the Nationals. The Yankees scored three runs against Lidge in one-third of an inning two days ago and two runs in two-thirds of an inning yesterday. Lidge took the loss in yesterday’s 5-3 defeat in 14 innings.

“Brad wasn’t performing well,” Washington General Manager Mike Rizzo told reporters before today’s game against the Yankees. “He was very disappointed.”

The Nationals reinstated reliever Ryan Mattheus from the 15-day disabled list to take Lidge’s roster spot. By designating him for assignment, Washington has 10 days to either trade or release Lidge.

Lidge went 48-for-48 in save opportunities during the Phillies’ 2008 World Series championship season. Since then, he has a record of 1-12, including an 0-8 record in 2009.

“The 14-inning game last night forced us to make a bullpen roster move,” Rizzo said. “Mattheus was ready to come off his rehab assignment, and we felt like this was the right time to make the move.”

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Rob Gloster at rgloster@bloomberg.net