The Philadelphia Phillies are approaching the postseason with their playoff berth nearly secured, but their focus is quickly shifting toward making sure their roster is as healthy and prepared as possible for October. One of the biggest questions surrounding the club has been the availability of All-Star left-hander Jesús Luzardo, whose recent shoulder issue temporarily removed one of Philadelphia’s most important starting pitchers from the rotation.
Luzardo was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier this month because of inflammation in his left shoulder. The injury occurred after he was scratched from a scheduled start against the Atlanta Braves. Although the situation initially created concern because of the timing, an MRI did not reveal structural damage. The Phillies instead focused on allowing the inflammation to settle before asking their star pitcher to resume throwing. (MLB.com)
That cautious approach has cost Philadelphia a key member of its rotation during the final stretch of the regular season. The Phillies already had to account for bullpen games and other adjustments to their pitching schedule, making Luzardo’s absence particularly significant. With October approaching, however, the priority has been ensuring that the left-hander is healthy enough to contribute when the games become most important.
The reason Luzardo’s return matters so much is obvious when looking at his 2026 season. The 28-year-old has established himself as one of Philadelphia’s most dependable starters, posting a 14-5 record with a 2.87 ERA and a career-high 221 strikeouts through 29 starts. He also earned his first All-Star selection and was named National League Pitcher of the Month for August after producing a 1.31 ERA during that month. (MLB.com)
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His performance became even more impressive as the season progressed. Luzardo owns a 1.93 ERA across his 21 starts dating back to May 14, while Philadelphia went 18-3 in those games. His most recent start before the injury was especially dominant, as he threw a two-hit shutout against Atlanta on Sept. 7. (MLB.com)
That stretch demonstrates why the Phillies would love to have him available for the postseason. Philadelphia has other quality starters, including Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez, while Aaron Nola has also provided valuable innings. Still, Luzardo’s combination of strikeout ability, run prevention and recent form gives the Phillies another major weapon to deploy in a short playoff series.
There is now reason for optimism.
On Thursday, Luzardo took a significant step in his recovery by throwing approximately 30 pitches during a bullpen session. More importantly, he used his full collection of pitches and described the session as feeling much like a normal bullpen between starts. He subsequently said that everything continued to trend in the right direction and that his shoulder felt normal. (FOX Sports)
The next step is expected to involve facing hitters in a simulated-game setting. That test should give the Phillies a much better indication of whether Luzardo can handle the intensity required for postseason competition. His response after the bullpen session will also be important because the organization does not want to accelerate his recovery and risk another setback.
The encouraging development is that Luzardo himself remains confident about returning. He has made it clear that his objective is to be ready for October, and he has indicated that he is willing to accept whatever role Philadelphia gives him.
That could mean starting a postseason game, working multiple innings in relief or serving as a shorter-stint weapon out of the bullpen. Luzardo even joked that he would be willing to serve as the team’s bat boy if that was what Philadelphia needed. His comments underline how focused he is on contributing rather than worrying about the exact role he will occupy. (FOX Sports)
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Philadelphia’s coaching staff has also left open the possibility of using Luzardo as either a starter or reliever. If he is healthy but has not built up enough workload to immediately throw deep into a playoff game, a bullpen assignment could provide the Phillies with a way to use his talent while limiting his exposure. (MLB.com)
The Phillies therefore have reason to remain hopeful, although there are still steps Luzardo must complete before his postseason availability can be considered certain. His shoulder must respond well to the increased workload, and the simulated game will be another important checkpoint.
For now, however, the signs are encouraging. Luzardo has moved from being unable to throw because of discomfort to completing a full bullpen session without reporting the same concerns. With Philadelphia preparing for October, getting its All-Star left-hander back could significantly strengthen its pitching plans.
The Phillies still need to take care of business and officially secure their postseason position, but Luzardo’s progress gives the club another reason for optimism. If he continues moving forward without a setback, Philadelphia could have one of its most important pitchers available when the postseason begins.
Luzardo feels good, open to pitching in the postseason
The Philadelphia Phillies have received another encouraging update on Jesús Luzardo as the All-Star left-hander continues working toward a potential return for the postseason. After spending time on the injured list because of inflammation in his left shoulder, Luzardo appears to be feeling significantly better and is increasingly confident that he can contribute when Philadelphia begins its playoff run.
According to NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury, Luzardo delivered positive feedback after completing a 30-pitch bullpen session Thursday at Citizens Bank Park. It was his first time pitching from a mound in 13 days, making the session an important checkpoint in his recovery. Rather than experiencing renewed discomfort, Luzardo said his shoulder felt normal and that he was healthy. (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
That development represents a major step forward for both Luzardo and the Phillies. The left-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list after inflammation in his shoulder forced him to miss his scheduled start. The Phillies have been carefully monitoring his condition because of the importance of having their best pitchers available once the postseason begins.
Luzardo’s latest comments suggest that the inflammation has subsided considerably.
“I feel really good, healthy,” Luzardo said following the bullpen session. “Everything is out of there. I feel normal.” (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
While those words are encouraging, the Phillies still have several checkpoints to complete before Luzardo is officially cleared for postseason action. The most immediate concern is how his shoulder responds after the bullpen session. If he continues to feel good, the team is expected to have him face hitters in a simulated-game environment over the weekend.
That test could ultimately determine whether Luzardo has progressed enough to be included on Philadelphia’s roster for the opening round of the playoffs. The Phillies entered Thursday’s action with a magic number of two to secure their postseason position, meaning the timing of Luzardo’s recovery could line up closely with the beginning of October baseball. (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
Even if Luzardo makes the postseason roster, however, there is still uncertainty about exactly how Philadelphia will use him. He has not pitched in a game since September 7, when he threw the first complete-game shutout of his career against the Atlanta Braves. Because he has been sidelined since then, asking him to immediately handle a full playoff workload could be a significant challenge.
Luzardo, though, does not appear concerned about the role.
The 28-year-old has made it clear that he is prepared to do whatever manager Don Mattingly and the Phillies believe gives the team the best chance to win. Whether that means starting, pitching a few innings out of the bullpen or working in a shorter relief appearance, Luzardo is willing to accept the assignment.
That flexibility could become particularly valuable during a postseason series. If the Phillies do not believe Luzardo is ready to throw a traditional starter’s workload, they could still find a way to use his high-level stuff in a shorter appearance.
Luzardo has also indicated that he believes he has built enough of a workload during the regular season to potentially handle a substantial outing if Philadelphia decides to use him as a starter. He made 29 starts and accumulated 178⅔ innings before the shoulder issue interrupted his season. (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
That workload is one reason the Phillies can remain optimistic about his potential impact. This has not been a pitcher struggling to establish himself in the rotation. Luzardo has been one of Philadelphia’s most effective arms throughout the 2026 campaign.
Before the injury, he had put together an outstanding stretch. Over a 16-start span beginning June 10, he posted a 1.70 ERA, which ranked first among qualified major league starters during that period. He also led the majors with 141 strikeouts and ranked second with 105⅔ innings during that stretch. (NBC Sports Philadelphia)
Those numbers explain why getting Luzardo back, even in a limited capacity, could be important for Philadelphia.
The Phillies are therefore unlikely to rush him simply because the postseason is approaching. His shoulder must continue responding well to increased activity, and the simulated game will provide another critical test. A setback at this stage could dramatically alter the team’s plans.
For now, however, everything appears to be moving in a positive direction. Luzardo has gone from dealing with shoulder inflammation and uncertainty about his postseason availability to throwing a full bullpen session without experiencing the same problems.
The next few days will determine whether that progress continues. If he handles the simulated game successfully, the Phillies could have an opportunity to add one of their most important pitchers to the postseason mix.
And if Luzardo does return, he will have another personal objective waiting for him. Despite making six previous postseason appearances, he has yet to record a playoff victory. A healthy return to Philadelphia’s October rotation or bullpen would give him another opportunity to change that statistic while helping the Phillies pursue a deep postseason run.
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