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Phillies Star Pitcher Luzardo Undergoes MRI that Shows No Serious Damage
Jesús Luzardo was scratched because of shoulder stiffness, and the Phillies will use a bullpen game while they re-evaluate him in a few days.
On Saturday, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jesus Luzardo was scratched from his scheduled start against the Atlanta Braves due to shoulder stiffness, with Manager Don Mattingly prioritizing the All-Star's health during a critical series.
The issue surfaced following Luzardo's dominant two-hit, 109-pitch shutout against the Braves on September 7, when he struggled to 'get loose' during a light bullpen session on Friday.
Facing an exhausted bullpen after Friday's 11-inning loss, the Phillies opted for a bullpen game, as the team lacks fully stretched-out starters on their 40-man roster to fill the void.
Tim Mayza started Saturday's game as the Phillies navigate a precarious wild-card position, currently holding the National League's No. 5 seed ahead of the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks.
An MRI revealed no serious structural issues, prompting the team to target a return next week, as Mattingly remains optimistic Luzardo only needs to miss one rotation turn.