"Phillies closer Brad Lidge, who has been out with biceps tendinitis, threw a bullpen session Friday morning in Clearwater, Fla., and reported "no discomfort" in the area near his right shoulder.

Lidge said he plans to throw another bullpen session this weekend, then hopes to pitch in a game "in three or four days."

Lidge's velocity on his fastball has been down all spring, topping out at 88 mph March 11 in his previous outing, according to scouts.

"My pop will never be there until my first game closing in the regular season," Lidge said Friday. "It hasn't been for the last 10 years. ... But that said, I should be able to get more out of it than I've had my last couple of outings.""