"Phillies closer Brad Lidge moved a step closer to returning to the mound this weekend, but it will still be several weeks before he begins throwing.

Lidge met with team physician Dr. Michael Cicotti on Saturday and was told his ailing rotator cuff appears healed.

"Things are progressing well," Lidge said. "I passed their first exam of getting into Stage 2 of the rehab."

The right-hander hasn't pitched in more than three weeks, and Lidge said he'll need another 10 days to two weeks to build strength in the rotator cuff.

Once that is complete, he'll go in for another evaluation and, ideally, begin throwing soon after.

"Hopefully I'll begin to throw in about two weeks," Lidge said. "So then, we'll see how fast that goes. That's kind of a little tougher to predict, but at least it's progressed as we hoped so far."

In Lidge's absence, Jose Contreras has converted all three of his save chances, and set-up man Ryan Madson has allowed just two hits.

One step back

The rains came Saturday, washing out Game 2 of the Phillies series against Florida. The postponement, however, also delayed a return to the mound for Roy Oswalt, which the Phillies believe will give him plenty of time to be ready for his next start.

Oswalt left Friday's game after six innings with back spasms, and while he said there was still some lingering soreness, he expects to be ready for his next scheduled start Thursday in San Diego.

"You're not able to tell a lot walking around, but it feels all right," Oswalt said. "I should be able to make it."

The 33-year-old Oswalt has missed starts due to back injuries four times in the past six seasons, but the current injury is unrelated to his past problems, pitching coach Rich Dubee said."