Overview
- Team physician Steven Cohen examined Luzardo and cleared him to start a throwing program on Sunday, September 20, after left shoulder inflammation sidelined him.
- Luzardo’s IL stint was backdated to September 12, which makes him first eligible for activation on September 27 but the club does not expect him to pitch that day.
- The next and decisive step is a bullpen session throwing from a mound to assess true pitching readiness and any limits on his workload.
- Phillies leaders are planning for the possibility that Luzardo, if available quickly, would be used as a reliever to protect his arm and preserve rotation depth.
- Imaging showed inflammation with no structural damage and the team’s handling of Luzardo will shape postseason roster decisions and who fills starts behind Wheeler, Nola, Sanchez and prospect Andrew Painter.