Last Friday, the Phillies announced that closer Brad Lidge would likely be joining second baseman Chase Utley on the Disabled List to begin the 2011 season.
The loss of Utley, who has yet to play a game this spring because of patellar tendinitis in his right knee, and Lidge, who is reporting discomfort in his shoulder, means the team that most picked to represent the National League in this year’s World Series is already off to an unfortunate 2011 campaign.
In addition, the loss of two of their key players has given their NL East foes the ability to pull even and possibly surpass them in the early stages of the season. Here, we will examine some possible moves the Atlanta Braves must make to take advantage of their struggling counterparts.