Phillies Scratch Jesús Luzardo from Saturday Start Due to Shoulder Stiffness

Jesús Luzardo will not pitch in the upcoming game against the Braves as he has been scratched from his Saturday start due to shoulder stiffness. This decision follows a tough loss for the Phillies, where they played 11 innings and utilized five relievers.

The team is currently not placing Luzardo on the injured list and remains hopeful that he can return to the mound soon. Luzardo expressed confidence in his ability to pitch, although manager Don Mattingly emphasized the importance of caution to prevent any lingering issues.

Luzardo recently completed a bullpen session but struggled to get loose, leading to the decision to hold him back. He has been performing well, holding the fourth-best ERA in MLB since May 1 and recently achieved his first complete-game shutout. The Phillies, facing challenges in their NL East standings, are concerned about the impact of Luzardo's absence on their postseason aspirations.