Phillies place All-Star left-hander Jesús Luzardo on IL with shoulder inflammation

The Philadelphia Phillies have placed starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo on the 15-day injured list due to left shoulder inflammation. This decision came three days after Luzardo was removed from a game against Atlanta because of the same issue. The move is retroactive to Saturday. Luzardo is set to be eligible to return on September 27, which is the last day of the regular season.

An MRI performed on Saturday revealed no serious problems, but Luzardo did not throw a pitch on Sunday or Monday. Interim manager Don Mattingly stated that the Phillies' medical staff believed Luzardo was improving by Tuesday, though not as quickly as they would have liked. Mattingly emphasized that no significant changes in their assessment had occurred; they were merely ensuring Luzardo's full recovery before his next start.

Luzardo's absence leaves the Phillies short on one of their top starting pitchers as they strive to secure a playoff berth. The Phillies currently hold the second National League wild card position, just a half-game behind the Chicago Cubs and a game ahead of San Diego. They are also leading Arizona by 3 1/2 games in the standings.

Luzardo boasts an impressive season so far, going 14-5 with a 2.87 ERA. This year marks his first All-Star appearance, during which he recorded 221 strikeouts in 29 starts. He also achieved his first career complete game in his latest outing, a two-hit shutout of Atlanta on September 7.

Mattingly expressed confidence that Luzardo would likely be ready to pitch by the end of the year but stressed the importance of focusing on the present to achieve that goal. Following Luzardo's injury, the Phillies recalled right-hander Grant Holman from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill his roster spot. Holman made his debut for the Phillies on Saturday, giving up five unearned runs while allowing only one out.