Jesús Luzardo is still tracking toward a possible October role, but the Phillies are leaving the calendar open as the left-hander works back from shoulder inflammation.
Luzardo played catch Monday and Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park, continuing a progression that has drawn encouraging reports inside the clubhouse. Interim manager Don Mattingly said the lefty has been “good,” though the club has not put a date on his first bullpen session.
“We’re moving in the right direction,” Mattingly said.
Luzardo stretched out to 120 feet Monday, an indication that he has been able to throw with some intent. More importantly, Mattingly said there has been no unfavorable response from the shoulder as the pitcher ramps up.
“He feels good every day,” Mattingly said. “He hasn’t come back with any kind of inflammation or lack of range or anything like that. So it’s been good.”
Luzardo’s postseason path remains open
The shoulder issue surfaced after Luzardo blanked the Braves on two hits on Sept. 7. He underwent an MRI in Atlanta four days later, and the initial hope was that he could return to the mound the following week. Instead, Philadelphia placed him on the 15-day injured list Sept. 15.
He becomes eligible for activation Sunday, the final day of the regular season, but activation is not being treated as a requirement for Luzardo to be part of the playoff picture. The Phillies believe he could still be available when the National League Wild Card Series opens Sept. 29.
His eventual assignment has not been set. Philadelphia is considering both a starting role and relief work, depending on how quickly he can get back on a mound and how his shoulder responds to each step.
Bowlan also continues his throwing program
Right-hander Jonathan Bowlan remains in the throwing phase after a mild right groin strain sidelined him Thursday. The club’s baseline hope is that he can be ready by the Wild Card Series, giving the pitching staff another potential option as the postseason begins.
Wood shut down after reaching workload limit
Top Phillies prospect Gage Wood will not pitch again this season, even with Double-A Reading still playing in the Eastern League Championship Series.
The right-hander is healthy, but the organization placed him on the developmental list after he reached his planned innings ceiling. Wood logged 100 innings in all: 95 during the regular season between Single-A Clearwater and Reading, four more in Reading’s playoff game against Hartford last week, and one inning in July’s All-Star Futures Game at Citizens Bank Park.
The workload represented a major increase from last year, when Wood threw 39 2/3 innings between the University of Arkansas and Clearwater. The Phillies’ No. 1 prospect and MLB’s No. 30 prospect will finish the year there rather than add innings during Reading’s title chase.
