Shoulder Stiffness Sidelines Luzardo
Phillies Scratch Jesús Luzardo From Saturday Start Due to Left-Shoulder Stiffness
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Key Points
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Luzardo’s shoulder issue began after his previous start, and he had trouble getting loose during a Friday touch-and-feel session. He also lightly tested the shoulder but told coaches he felt capable of pitching; the Phillies nevertheless decided the risk was not worthwhile.
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Philadelphia plans to use an opener Saturday, likely Tim Mayza, and does not intend to call up an additional pitcher to cover the game.
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Luzardo’s complete game Monday was the first of his career and came in his 150th major-league start; he held Atlanta scoreless on two hits while throwing 109 pitches.
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Interim manager Don Mattingly said the Phillies would become more concerned if the stiffness lingered, but added, “To this point, I don’t feel that same way.”
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Atlanta has dominated the season series, winning eight of the 11 meetings with Philadelphia, while Braves starter Tyler Mahle had posted a 1.24 ERA across six starts since arriving at the trade deadline.
The Philadelphia Phillies scratched left-hander Jesús Luzardo from his scheduled Saturday start against the Atlanta Braves due to left-shoulder stiffness. The Big Lead reported that an MRI revealed inflammation but no structural damage, giving the team hope he can return next week against the Mets. The decision comes after Luzardo threw 109 pitches in his first career complete game on Monday, a dominant effort that included 12 strikeouts and just two hits allowed.
Philadelphia is five games behind Atlanta with only 14 games left in the season. The Braves have won eight of the teams' first 11 meetings this year. The Phillies plan to use an opener—likely Tim Mayza—rather than immediately call up another pitcher to cover Saturday's game after losing 6-5 to Atlanta in 11 innings.
Complete Game Pushed Luzardo to the Limit
Luzardo's shoulder stiffness began immediately after his Monday masterpiece against Atlanta. The 27-year-old left-hander threw 109 pitches over nine innings, holding the Braves scoreless on just two hits. During a Friday touch-and-feel session, he struggled to get loose but told coaches he felt capable of pitching. The Phillies opted for caution anyway.
Interim manager Don Mattingly said the team would grow more concerned only if the stiffness lingered. "To this point, I don't feel that same way," Mattingly noted. Luzardo's 1.66 ERA across 12 starts since early July has made him a cornerstone of Philadelphia's postseason rotation hopes.
Bullpen Fatigue Forces Philadelphia to Use an Opener
The 11-inning loss to Atlanta already drained Philadelphia's relief pitchers, who worked 4⅓ innings. Now the Phillies must deploy an opener and bullpen game Saturday instead of using a traditional starter. Delaware County Times reported that Tim Mayza is likely to open the game.
Philadelphia did not plan to call up an extra pitcher to cover the workload. That strategy adds pressure on a rotation led by Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez alongside Luzardo. Any lingering shoulder problems could ripple through both the rotation and bullpen just 2.5 weeks before the playoffs begin.
Race Tightens as Playoffs Approach
Atlanta's dominance in the season series puts Philadelphia in a precarious position. The Braves' starter Tyler Mahle has posted a 1.24 ERA across six starts since arriving at the trade deadline, making Saturday especially challenging for a Phillies team that cannot afford many losses. Every game matters with just two weeks remaining.
Luzardo's expected return against the Mets next week suggests the shoulder issue may not be serious long-term. But if stiffness persists, the Phillies' postseason rotation could lose a key arm at the worst possible moment. For now, Philadelphia is betting that rest will solve the problem.
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