Brad Lidge will sign a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the Phillies on Thursday.

Lidge is going to be on hand at Citizens Bank Park to throw out the first pitch and take part in a small retirement ceremony. He already announced in December that he was done with baseball for good, so this is all pageantry. The right-hander had a 3.54 ERA and 225 saves in 11 major league seasons -- four spent in Philly.

Brad Lidge has announced his retirement.

Lidge appeared in just nine games with the Nationals last season before being released. He'll finish his 11-year career with a 3.54 ERA, 799 strikeouts, and 225 saves.

Brad Lidge told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick that he hasn't decided whether he'll come back and pitch for another team this season.

Lidge was released by the Nationals earlier this week after being designated for assignment. The veteran right-hander has instructed his agents to take calls from interested teams, but he hasn't made up his mind about whether he will return in 2012. "I am healthy, but based on the path I would have to take to get back to the bigs this year I am not sure I will be jumping back in right now," said Lidge. "No official decision one way or another, but mostly I am not happy that I rushed back from surgery before I was ready only to be designated for assignment a couple of days later."

Nationals released RHP Brad Lidge.

Lidge was designated for assignment by the Nationals last weekend and passed through waivers with ease. However, he should draw plenty of interest on the open market now that he can sign at the league minimum. The veteran right-hander posted an ugly 9.64 ERA and 10/11 K/BB ratio over 9 1/3 innings with Washington.

According to the Washington Times, the Nationals have designed Brad Lidge for assignment.

Nationals activated RHP Brad Lidge from the 15-day disabled list.

Lidge finished up his rehab assignment on a strong note Wednesday night, fanning two batters in a perfect inning at High-A Potomac. He won't be thrust back into high-pressure situations right away, but the veteran righty could be in line for save opportunities down the road.

Brad Lidge (hernia surgery) pitched a perfect inning Wednesday in his second rehab appearance for High-A Potomac.

Lidge got a pair of swinging strikeouts and a groundout, which is a lot better than what he did the first time out. The veteran right-hander is expected to make 1-2 more appearances before rejoining the Nats.

Brad Lidge (hernia surgery) allowed a run on two hits and a walk over just 1/3 of an inning in his first rehab appearance with High-A Potomac Monday.

Lidge was then yanked after reaching his pitch count limit. It's not an ideal showing, obviously, but the Nationals are just worried about whether or not he's healthy. Lidge is expected to make 2-3 more appearances before rejoining the Nats.

Brad Lidge (hernia surgery) is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment Monday.

Lidge is reportedly ''ahead of schedule'' and will pitch in rehab games Monday, Wednesday, and Friday before being evaluated. If all goes well, he could return for the Nationals' June 11 series against the Blue Jays.

Brad Lidge (hernia surgery) has started throwing to hitters at the Nationals' complex in Viera, Florida.

Lidge is now exactly one month removed from hernia surgery. He'll likely head out on a rehab assignment soon and should come close to meeting his goal of returning on June 15.

Brad Lidge is slated to throw a bullpen session Wednesday for the first time since undergoing hernia surgery on May 1.

If all goes well, he'll head to the team's complex in Viera, Florida on Thursday to ramp up the rehab process. He's currently aiming to rejoin the Nats' bullpen on June 15.

Brad Lidge (hernia) is scheduled for a follow-up with his doctor in Philadelphia early next week.

Assuming all goes well, Lidge will throw off the mound for the first time Wednesday. He's expected to head to the team's complex in Viera, Florida from there before going out on a minor league rehab assignment. The veteran right-hander hopes to return from the disabled list on June 15.

Brad Lidge underwent successful surgery Tuesday morning to repair a hernia.

Lidge's agent Rex Gary said everything went "very well." The veteran right-hander is expected to resume throwing in about three weeks, but because he'll likely need a rehab assignment, the best-case scenario is that he returns by the end of the month. Henry Rodriguez should be the Nationals' primary closer during his absence and should be owned wherever available.

Brad Lidge will undergo surgery Tuesday to repair a hernia.

Lidge was placed on the disabled list last week with what was described as an abdominal wall strain. He should be able to start throwing again in about three weeks, but assuming he'll require a rehab assignment, that should rule him out for most, if not all, of May. Henry Rodriguez should have save chances all to himself for now.

Nationals placed RHP Brad Lidge on the 15-day disabled list with an abdominal strain.

Lidge had been sharing the closing duties for the Nationals with Henry Rodriguez. There is no word yet on the severity or the time table for Lidge's injury, but Rodriguez should now be owned in all fantasy leagues.

According to Amanda Comak of the Washington Times, Brad Lidge will be placed on the disabled list with an abdominal wall strain.

We already heard that right-hander Ryan Perry was getting called up, so now we know the corresponding roster move. No word yet on the severity of the injury with Lidge, but Henry Rodriguez will serve as the primary closer while he's sidelined. The hard-throwing right-hander should be owned in all fantasy leagues at this point.

Brad Lidge blew his second save of the season Saturday against the Marlins.

Lidge coughed up the lead quickly, walking Hanley Ramirez before serving up a two-run homer to Logan Morrison. He walked three in the inning (including one intentional), but was able to escape without any further damage. Nationals manager Davey Johnson will likely continue to divvy up the save chances while Drew Storen (elbow) is sidelined, but Henry Rodriguez looks like the better fantasy bet.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson revealed Wednesday that Brad Lidge suffers from vertigo that has been "especially acute recently."

It had gotten bad enough lately that Johnson was worried Lidge wouldn't be available to pitch Tuesday, though it turned out that he was and he converted his second save of the season. "This morning was the first morning [Lidge] woke up without veritgo in the last week I think," Johnson said. "And if you've never had vertigo, it's something you don't want. Can't hardly walk a straight line." It doesn't sound like it's a concern at the moment, but it's certainly possible Lidge's condition could lead to more save chances for Henry Rodriguez down the road.

Brad Lidge notched his second save of the season Tuesday, pitching around a hit and a walk in a win over the Astros.

Jed Lowrie doubled to lead off the ninth and Lidge then walked J.D. Martinez. He retired the next three in order, though, getting a flyout, lineout and groundout. Lidge has been shakier than Henry Rodriguez to this point, but we expect the two to continue to share the closer role while Drew Storen is out.

Brad Lidge blew a two-run lead in the ninth Thursday against the Reds.

Lidge gave up a walk and a double with one out in the ninth. After an intentional walk to Jay Bruce, he surrendered a game-tying two-run double to Ryan Ludwick before settling down and preserving the tie. The rough outing would seem to bode well for Henry Rodriguez's chances of getting more save chances. Lidge has had two to Rodriguez's zero so far.