Overview
- The Phillies scratched Luzardo for Saturday’s start after Friday’s 11-inning loss, with interim manager Don Mattingly saying Luzardo had trouble getting loose during a touch-and-feel bullpen session.
- Mattingly said Luzardo was not being placed on the injured list and the club hopes a few extra days of rest will allow him to rejoin the rotation next week.
- Philadelphia will use an opener for Saturday’s game because the bullpen is already taxed from Friday and the club has few fully stretched-out starters available on the 40-man roster.
- Luzardo threw a 109-pitch, two-hit complete-game shutout on Sept. 7 and has ranked among the team’s most relied-upon pitchers this season, which factors into the club’s cautious approach.
- If the stiffness lingers it would be a significant setback for the Phillies’ compressed September schedule and their push to reach the playoffs, so roster moves or deeper use of the farm system could follow if he cannot return quickly.