The Phillies are set to start Jesus Luzardo in Game 1 of the Wild Card round against the Braves on September 29, 2026, a notable decision after he spent most of September on the IL with shoulder inflammation.
Luzardo was activated on Sunday and used in relief before the playoff opener, throwing four pitches in one inning out of the bullpen. It was a small sample, but it gave the Phillies a chance to check how his shoulder responded before asking him to take the ball in a much bigger spot.
Why the move matters
For Philadelphia, this is less about the four pitches themselves and more about what they signaled. Don Mattingly said Luzardo came out feeling normal and “felt good,” adding that the club would not have used him if that had not been the case. That is the key for the Phillies, who need to know whether Luzardo can be trusted to handle a postseason start after missing more than three months.
The timing also matters because the Wild Card round does not leave much margin for error. If Luzardo is sharp early, the Phillies can avoid leaning too heavily on the bullpen. If he is limited, the Game 1 pitching plan could become more complicated quickly.
What comes next
At this point, the Phillies have answered the main question: Luzardo is available, and he is the choice for Game 1 against the Braves. The next question is how deep he can work, and that will go a long way toward shaping the rest of the series.
The broader playoff picture is still moving elsewhere, too, with Aaron Judge’s injury status remaining a major issue in the Yankees’ postseason situation. But for the Phillies, the focus is much more immediate: Luzardo is back, he felt normal after his relief outing, and now he gets the first start of the series.
