ATLANTA — A crushing loss to the Braves got worse for the Phillies when Don Mattingly met with reporters afterward.
Jesús Luzardo will not make his scheduled start Saturday because of shoulder stiffness, the interim manager announced after Philadelphia’s 6-5, 11-inning loss at Truist Park.
Luzardo, who was set to make his 30th start of the season, has dealt with the issue since throwing his first career complete game Monday against Atlanta. The Phillies hoped over the last several days that he would be ready to take the ball again, but decided not to push it.
“He’s just really having trouble getting loose, is the biggest thing,” Mattingly said. “He thought he could pitch. We didn’t feel like it was the best thing.”
For now, the Phillies don’t believe the issue is serious enough to require a stint on the injured list. Mattingly said the plan is to give Luzardo, who was unavailable postgame, a few extra days and see how he responds.
“If it lingers, it obviously would be a big blow, and I would be more concerned,” Mattingly said. “To this point, I don’t feel that same way.”
Luzardo threw lightly Friday to test the shoulder. He felt capable of pitching, but the Phillies decided there was little reason to risk the stiffness becoming something more.
They’ll instead use an opener Saturday, which is likely to be Tim Mayza. Mattingly declined to reveal who will start the game, but said the Phillies aren’t planning to bring up an additional pitcher.
The timing comes immediately after Luzardo’s most complete performance of the season.
The left-hander went nine innings Monday at Citizens Bank Park, holding the Braves scoreless on two hits while striking out 12 in a 1-0 Phillies win. He needed 109 pitches to finish the first complete game of his career in his 150th major league start.
Mattingly pointed to that workload while explaining the decision to give Luzardo additional rest.
“I don’t think it’s anything unusual,” Mattingly said. “He threw a big game for us.”
He referenced how Atlanta recently handled Chris Sale after one of his heavier outings, giving the veteran left-hander additional rest before his next start.
“This is hopefully something that we just gotta work through,” Mattingly said. “Give him a couple extra days and see where it goes.”
Luzardo has been one of the Phillies’ most important pitchers during their climb back into the postseason race, making any uncertainty around his shoulder worth monitoring.
Bryce Harper learned of the scratch shortly before speaking with reporters after Friday’s loss.
“Obviously, he goes nine strong the other day, does his job,” Harper said. “Big arm for us. So obviously need him, but we want him healthy for the stretch.”
For now, his 30th start will have to wait.