The Phillies brought Jesús Luzardo back into the fold before their game with the Tampa Bay Rays, reinstating the left-hander from the 15-day injured list and returning one of the National League’s most productive starters to the 28-man roster.
José Urquidy was designated for assignment in the corresponding move. Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski announced the transactions.
Luzardo returns after shoulder issue
Luzardo, 28, had been sidelined by inflammation in his left shoulder. He was placed on the injured list on Sept. 15, with the move retroactive to Sept. 12.
Before the interruption, Luzardo had built a 14-5 record and a 2.87 ERA across 29 starts. In 178.2 innings, he allowed 57 earned runs, struck out 221 hitters and issued 52 walks while posting a 1.08 WHIP.
The 221 strikeouts established a new single-season high for Luzardo. He has now reached 200 strikeouts in consecutive seasons for the first time, after setting his previous career best with 216 last year.
His August run helped set the tone for his season. Luzardo went 3-0 that month with a major league-leading 1.31 ERA, allowing five earned runs over 34.1 innings, and was named National League Pitcher of the Month.
A first-time All-Star this season, Luzardo has accumulated 6.3 bWAR, second among National League pitchers. Only Phillies teammate Cristopher Sánchez stands ahead of him.
A key rotation piece is back
The Phillies acquired Luzardo from the Miami Marlins on Dec. 22, 2024, after Washington originally selected him in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Philadelphia committed to him on March 10 this year with a five-year contract extension.
His return restores a left-handed starter who has carried a front-of-the-rotation workload all year, and it gives the club another established arm as the schedule moves forward.
Urquidy loses his roster spot
Urquidy, 31, appeared twice for Philadelphia after the club claimed him off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 17. The right-hander allowed three earned runs in 7.1 innings, good for a 3.68 ERA, with nine strikeouts and no walks.
The Mazatlán, Mexico, native began his professional career when he signed with the Houston Astros as an amateur free agent on March 2, 2015.
