The Philadelphia Phillies may be contemplating moving pitcher Jesús Luzardo to the bullpen as the regular season approaches its conclusion, according to a report by Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Initially showing promise with a 1.73 ERA in March and April, Luzardo has struggled significantly through the summer, experiencing a rise to a 5.42 ERA since May 1. His performance has been marked by increased difficulties, with a 5.00 ERA or worse in each of the past three months, compounded by a growing walk rate.
This season, Luzardo holds a record of 9-5 with a 4.31 ERA across 22 starts, alongside a 2.98 FIP and a WHIP of 1.372. While he has excelled in limiting home runs—allowed a career-best 0.74 HR/9—he is facing challenges in getting hitters out. Opponents are making contact with 72.7% of Luzardo’s pitches this season, the highest rate of his career, indicating they are more effective in the batter’s box against him compared to prior seasons.
The potential shift in Luzardo’s role might coincide with the anticipated return of fellow pitcher Aaron Nola, who could rejoin the rotation around mid-August. This transition would also align with the expected debut of top prospect Andrew Painter, removing Luzardo from his starting position while allowing him to contribute to a bullpen that currently lacks depth in left-handed options. With postseason aspirations in mind, the Phillies may see this move as beneficial for managing Luzardo’s workload, especially as he has not handled a heavy innings load very well in prior seasons.
Furthermore, as the Phillies prepare for a potential postseason run, Luzardo’s flexibility in the bullpen might not only support current pitching depth but also utilize his ability to contribute effectively in high-pressure situations. The strategy could reflect a careful decision to maximize team performance while considering each player’s strengths and limitations.
Overall, this potential move has its roots in both immediate team needs and long-range player management, offering hope for a recalibrated and stronger bullpen as the Phillies aim for success in the playoffs.