Phillies place Jesus Luzardo on 15-day injured list
NBC Sports Philadelphia • • sports
Key Points:
- Phillies pitcher Jesus Luzardo, the National League’s August pitcher of the month, was placed on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation, missing a key start just two weeks before the playoffs.
- Luzardo, a top NL starter with a 2.87 ERA and third in innings pitched, is expected to be eligible to return on Sept. 27, but his availability for the postseason remains uncertain due to ongoing recovery.
- The Phillies, currently vying for a wild-card spot, face a significant setback as Luzardo has been their best pitcher since June, leading all MLB starters in ERA and strikeouts over that span.
- Manager Don Mattingly emphasized the importance of prioritizing Luzardo’s health, expressing confidence that the injury is not long-term and that Luzardo will be ready for the playoffs.
- In Luzardo’s absence, the Phillies may rely on Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Cristopher Sanchez for their postseason rotation, while considering options for Luzardo’s replacement in upcoming starts.
