"As he attempted to describe the location of the newest pain in his oft-injured body, the worried look on Brad Lidge's face said enough.

For a moment, the Phillies closer stared blankly into space. A day before, after a particularly bad outing, he uncharacteristically declined to speak to reporters. On Friday morning, he called a group over to his locker.

The back of Lidge's right shoulder hurt. He has never felt soreness there before. He doesn't know what to make of it.

"I know," Lidge said, "I wish there was no pain."

A myriad of injuries have rarely tested Lidge's faith. The 34-year-old righthander is constantly optimistic when faced with a stint on the disabled list, as he is now. And it's not like this is anything new; Lidge will miss his third opening day in four seasons with the Phillies.

But even Lidge could concede this newest setback may be trouble."