Monday Night Links

Phillies closer Brad Lidge says not to worry about allowing four runs in his first Single-A rehab appearance of 2/3 of an inning.

Texas outfielder Julio Borbon was benched after starting the season 1-for-21. Returning to the lineup, Borbon went 0-for-4.

Meanwhile teammate Joaquin Arias has four straight multi-hit games filling in for injured second baseman Ian Kinsler.

The Giants won't pitch Matt Cain against the Dodgers over the weekend.

Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun is being more selective at the plate.

“I just can’t pay any attention to any of this crap going on around me,” Red Sox DH David Ortiz said, per the Boston Herald. “Just play the game. The game is hard enough for people to be talking trash about you and you paying attention to it. You can’t listen to it.”

A's reliever Tyson Ross got his first-ever save last night.

It might be a while before Orioles 'closer' Mike Gonzalez gets another save opportunity.

The Twins beat the Red Sox 5-2 in the first-ever game at Target Field.

Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester said of today's performance: “Today I just stunk. Didn’t make pitches. I don’t really know what else to say.’’

Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz hit his fifth home run of the season.

The Royals had 15 hits against the Tigers today.

Scott Rolen homered twice as the Reds beat the Marlins today.

The Padres scored 17 runs against the Braves today.

Dodgers pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley have added a slider and changeup, respectively, to their pitching repertoires, per Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.

Texas will start Ryan Garko at first base on Thursday.

The Pirates scratched pitcher Ross Ohlendorf for tonight's start against the Giants.

Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts might need more time after he's eligible to return from the DL.

Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore misssed his second straight game.

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Ryan Madson on the 9th: "Just treat it as another inning"

Phillies (temporary) closer Ryan Madson can be a source for a cheap saves early in the season.

Madson will serve as the team's closer while Brad Lidge remains in Clearwater at the start of the season.

Athough he struggled in that role in 2009 by converting only 10 of 16 opportunities, last year's experience should help him this year.

At least, that's Madson's (and Lidge's) view.

"Just treat it as another inning," Madson said. "I got into a little bit of a groove and got my confidence and realized that. So if I can just start that way, get that feeling that I had at the end of the year last year and just treat it like another inning, go out for each hitter and have fun with it, everything will be fine."

"We all know [Madson's] stuff is as good as anybody's among the late-inning guys. And I think for him, the experience of last year will go a long way for him this year," Lidge said. "I thought he did fine for his first year getting in there. He probably learned a lot about how the ninth inning is a little different from the eighth inning. And now that he knows that, and with his stuff, I think he's going to do an excellent job. I mean, he's really capable of being a great closer."

In six spring appearances, Madson has saved one game while posting an ERA of 6.00 and WHIP of 1.50 in six innings pitched.

Brad Lidge sidelined for a few days?

Philadelphia Phillies closer has some inflammation in his right knee, on which he had surgery before the start of last season.

He will rest it for a few days and hope to avoid a stint on the disabled list.

"We're trying to get rid of it as fast as possible," Lidge said Monday night. "It's frustrating, but I missed a few games last year at the start of the season, and when I came back I felt great. If I have to do the same thing this year, miss a couple of games, that's OK."

While he says an MRI shows there is no structural damage, he has felt discomfort since the Colorado series (April 10-12).

Lidge has four saves, one blown save and an ERA of 7.27 in his nine appearances this season.