"Brad Lidge will take his first step toward making his 2011 debut today, when he pitches in an extended spring training game in Clearwater, Fla.

It will mark the first time Lidge will pitch in a game since March 24 in a Grapefruit League game against the Minnesota Twins. Before leaving for Florida last weekend, Lidge was optimistic that he would be able to rejoin the Phillies in mid-June.

While a lot can happen in the next three weeks, it's worth wondering: When Lidge arrives, who goes?

The easiest thing the Phillies could do is option rookie right hander Michael Stutes back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

But unless Stutes blows up between now and when Lidge is ready, it's pretty difficult to imagine the Phils subtracting a guy with a 1.86 ERA and 11.2 strikeouts-per-nine inning ratio. Like Antonio Bastardo, Stutes' strike-out happy arm has quickly been promoted to critical late-game situations.

Bastardo, Ryan Madson and Jose Contreras aren't going anywhere. The three remaining relievers are Danys Baez, Kyle Kendrick and J.C. Romero.

Baez has been inconsistent since signing a two-year, $5.25 million contract before last season. But he earned a spot in his manager's heart earlier this week when he took on the yeoman's work in the Phils' 5-4, 19-inning win Wednesday."