The Phillies announced today that Brad Lidge will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Monday, rendering it unlikely that the newly acquired closer will be ready to start the regular season. The injury was suffered rather innocuously on Saturday when the pitcher caught his spike in the mound on his first pitch of batting practice.

Lidge had surgery on the same knee in October in order to remove torn cartilage.

Meanwhile in Beantown, the Sox have reached a preliminary agreement on a minor league deal with mighty righty Bartolo Colon. Sounds like a low-risk, high-reward move for Boston.

Colon will provide some added depth to a rotation that will be without Curt Schilling til at least the All-Star break. Colon has been battling shoulder and elbow injuries since 2006 but could prove a solid pickup for the Sox if he’s regained a semblance of health. Colon has twice won 20-games during his 11-year career and won the Cy Young Award in 2005.