The Phillies had not announced a replacement starter as of late Friday, creating another immediate concern for a club already navigating a difficult weekend in Atlanta.
The timing is especially notable considering what Luzardo did in his previous start.
Five days earlier at Citizens Bank Park, the left-hander delivered one of the finest outings of his season, throwing a two-hit complete-game shutout in a 1-0 victory over the Braves. Luzardo struck out 12 and walked one in the first complete-game shutout of his career.
He had been scheduled to face Atlanta again Saturday.
Instead, the Phillies will have to cover his turn in the rotation while determining whether the shoulder stiffness is merely a short-term issue or something that could become more concerning with the postseason approaching.
For now, Mattingly’s announcement establishes only that Luzardo will miss Saturday’s start. The Phillies have not indicated that the issue is more serious, and there is no reason to speculate beyond what is known.
Still, any shoulder concern involving Luzardo warrants attention.
The 28-year-old has been one of the most important pieces of Philadelphia’s rotation this season, entering the weekend with a 14-5 record, 2.87 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 221 strikeouts over 178 2/3 innings.
His recent stretch has been even more impressive.
Luzardo is 5-0 with a 1.08 ERA over his last seven starts, allowing just six earned runs across 50 innings while striking out 64. Opponents have had little sustained success against him during that run, which has helped stabilize the Phillies’ rotation during the stretch drive.
That makes Saturday’s scratch significant beyond one game.
Philadelphia entered the weekend trying to make up ground against Atlanta in the National League East, and Luzardo had been lined up for the middle game of the series after dominating the Braves just days earlier.
The bullpen situation could further complicate matters.
Friday’s 6-5, 11-inning loss forced the Phillies to use José Alvarado, Alex McFarlane, Jonathan Bowlan, Chase Shugart and Brooks Raley after Aaron Nola worked 6 1/3 innings. Jhoan Duran was unavailable after pitching on consecutive days against Houston.
Whoever replaces Luzardo on Saturday could therefore be asked to provide meaningful length.
But the larger concern goes beyond Saturday.
With the postseason drawing closer, the Phillies need Luzardo healthy far more than they need him to make one September start.
Five days ago, he walked off the mound after shutting out the Braves.
Saturday, he won’t take the mound at all.
Now the Phillies wait to find out what comes next.
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