By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor

On the day Ryan Madson blows yet another save opportunity, his mentor is reportedly ready to rejoin the team this weekend in a crucial series against the first place New York Metropolitans (and, yes, I almost fell out of my chair upon typing that).

Brad Lidge, who has spent the season on the DL as he rehabs from offseason surgery, has completed his minor league extended spring training session and will be available to pitch when the Phis battle the Mets at Citizens Bank Park starting Friday.

BULLPEN HELP? Brad Lidge returns to the Phillies this weekend.

You’ll have to excuse me for not being very excited at this news. A year after a perfect season, Lidge turned the “blown save” into an art form, passing his knowledge and expertise onto Madson.

Until Lidge shows he is completely healthy, and we won’t believe it until we see it despite reports of a 90-mile-an-hour fastball, no Phillie fan will feel safe with a lead in the ninth inning.

Something tells us the prospects we got for Cliff Lee will be turned into an effective, championship-caliber closer at the trade deadline. Lidge will likely be an effective left-handed setup man to pair with J.C. Romero, assuming he returns.

Until any of that falls into place, the Phils bullpen is a disaster. Just look at the ninth inning of today’s game against the Giants for proof.