The Nationals have placed closer Brad Lidge on the 15-day disabled list with an abdominal strain, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports. The move means that right-hander Henry Rodriguez will take over as the Nats' full-time closer.
On the season, Lidge has a 5.14 ERA in 7.0 innings and has blown two of his four save opportunities. Rodriguez, meanwhile, has given up only one hit in 8.1 innings this year. Ideally, of course, Drew Storen would be working the ninth inning on a regular basis, but Storen remains sidelined after undergoing surgery to remove bone fragments from his elbow. He has no clear timetable for his return.
As for Lidge, this marks his seventh career trip to the DL. In 2007, Lidge suffered a similar abdominal strain and was sidelined for 22 games.
Reliever Ryan Perry will replace Lidge on the Nats' active roster.
