Phillies Notes: MRI for Phillies' Polanco

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - An MRI on Placido Polanco's sore left elbow revealed no structural damage, but Polanco will need a cortisone shot to calm the bruising.

Polanco will fly back to Philadelphia and have the shot Monday morning, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. Amaro estimated Polanco could be available to play again by Tuesday or Wednesday in Atlanta.

Polanco has a Grade 1 muscle contusion, Phillies team physician Michael Ciccotti told Amaro.

That's a relief for the Phillies and Polanco, who had feared possible bone chips or spurs in the elbow. Polanco was hit on the elbow April 21 by a Tim Hudson pitch, and the injury has hurt him ever since.

He has been taking anti-inflammatory medication and the pain was easier to play through on some days more than others. But Polanco aggravated the injury Thursday in New York when leaping for a line drive.

He has not played since.

Juan Castro started his second straight game at third base in Polanco's absence.

After throwing a scoreless inning for single-A Clearwater on Saturday, righthander Brad Lidge said he is ready to return to the Phillies.

He will probably be activated Monday from the disabled list.

"We're still assessing, but it's likely he'll be activated here shortly," Amaro said.

Lidge said he hadn't been given any indication yet.

"I'm ready to go," he said.

Lidge said he threw all of his pitches in the rehab outing. He struck out one batter and did not allow a baserunner.

"I don't feel like I need to do any more," Lidge said. "It's coming out of my hand like it needs to right now to get major league hitters out."

Amaro also provided updates on three other injured Phillies who are rehabbing in Clearwater, Fla.:

Shortstop Jimmy Rollins (strained right calf) began jogging Saturday. Rollins is eligible to come off the disabled list on Sunday, and Amaro said the team is hopeful Rollins will be ready by then. "Jimmy's doing well," Amaro said.

Lefthander J.A. Happ (strained left forearm) threw 25 pitches in a live batting practice session Sunday. He threw all of his pitches, including breaking balls. Amaro said it was a step forward, but Happ remains at least a few weeks away from returning.

Righthander Ryan Madson (broken right toe) is throwing from 120 feet even with a boot still on his foot. Amaro said Madson will return to Philadelphia on June 1 for a checkup and the boot might come off at that time.

Jamie Moyer lost the 200th game of his career Sunday. His lifetime record is 263-200. He is the 45th pitcher to lose 200 games in major-league history. . . . The Marlins played back-to-back 1-0 games for the first time in franchise history. Their last 1-0 win came July 19, 2006, against Washington.