"About 10 days ago, Brad Lidge learned he wasn't in the Phillies' plans for 2012.

Three days ago, he wanted to hear it for himself.

He called general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.

"Ruben was honest with me and I appreciate that," Lidge said hours after signing a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals on Thursday (see story). "I let him know I was disappointed, but at the same time I wished him luck. There are no hard feelings. It's part of the business.""