Jesús Luzardo threw about 30 pitches in a bullpen session on Thursday, signalling he is close to returning from left shoulder inflammation in time for the Phillies’ playoff push. The All-Star left-hander said everything feels “really good” and “like normal,” with his recovery trending in the right direction.
Luzardo was placed on the 15-day injured list on September 15 after being scratched from a start due to shoulder issues. He could throw a simulated game before the weekend, with the Phillies monitoring how his shoulder responds to the bullpen session to determine the next step.
At 14-5 with a 2.87 ERA, Luzardo has been one of Philadelphia’s most reliable pitchers this season. He made his first All-Star appearance, ranked second in the National League with a career-high 221 strikeouts over 29 starts, and threw his first career complete game—a two-hit shutout of Atlanta on September 7.
Interim Phillies manager Don Mattingly did not rule out using Luzardo either as a starter or reliever in the upcoming National League Wild Card Series. Luzardo made a relief appearance in last season’s NL Division Series against the Dodgers and said he is ready to contribute in any role. “If they need me one inning, two innings, three innings out of the bullpen, I can start. Really, I can be the bat boy. Whatever they ask of me, I’ll do. I just want to win,” Luzardo said.
Mattingly added, “I liked that he’s at this point. He’s feeling good. Wasn’t shaking his shoulder during the bullpen or anything like that. All signs are that he’s going in the right direction. He’s able to keep the process going.” Luzardo also believes he could handle seven innings in his first playoff start if needed.
The Phillies are in position to clinch their fifth straight playoff berth, with a win over Milwaukee on Thursday and losses by Arizona or San Diego. Philadelphia’s rotation depth could ease Luzardo’s return. Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez are favoured to start the first two games, while Aaron Nola’s strong second half suggests he will remain in the rotation. Rookie Andrew Painter was scheduled to start Thursday against the Brewers and remains an option.
Philadelphia’s bullpen has struggled recently aside from closer Jhoan Durán and Alex McFarlane. Luzardo could provide a strong bridge to the ninth inning if used out of the bullpen, helping the team manage workloads in a short postseason series.
As the Phillies prepare for their playoff run, Luzardo’s progress offers the team flexibility in pitching options. He turns 29 at the end of the month and is aiming to be fully available when the postseason begins.
According to Yahoo Sports.