"Asked before Wednesday's game what has surprised him the most about the 2011 season so far, manager Charlie Manuel had little trouble determining an answer: The bullpen.

Three months ago, the loss of Brad Lidge created a chasm at the back end of the Phillies' bullpen. By Wednesday, Lidge's bullpen session was almost an afterthought.

But while the Phillies' relievers have plugged along without him, Lidge's focus hasn't wavered.

"I keep thinking about this year and how I want to get everything out of this year that I possibly can," he said.

So far, there have been more setbacks than steps forward -- enough to test even the unrelenting optimism that has been Lidge's hallmark during his time with the Phillies.

But as he prepares to begin a rehab assignment that he hopes could start as early as next week, he remains confident that his season won't be a lost cause.

"If I can get back before the end of July, then I'll still have two months of ball to get myself where I need to be," said Lidge, who hasn't thrown in a game since the last week of spring training.

The Phillies are now on their fourth closer of the season, but that's a role Lidge isn't expecting to be handed again upon his return.

His hope, he said, is to simply finish strong, help the Phillies on their playoff push and ideally spin some late success into a stronger 2012.

"I'm definitely thinking of getting back this year, getting back to a level where I feel like I can close again, and let the chips fall where they may," Lidge said.

He's not sure where he'll land next year. He's not sure what role he'll fill. But until the past few days, he wasn't even sure when he might pitch this season, and he's glad that picture is finally getting a bit clearer."