Jesús Luzardo endured his toughest outing of the season on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers, marking his first loss in dramatic fashion. He lasted just 3 1/3 innings, giving up 12 hits, three walks, and a career-high 12 earned runs. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Luzardo had allowed only 16 earned runs across his previous 11 starts combined. As a result, his impressive 2.15 ERA spiked to 3.58, temporarily derailing what had looked like a Cy Young-worthy campaign.
Despite a late push, the Philadelphia Phillies were overwhelmed, ultimately falling 17-7. While Luzardo’s early exit was disappointing, it highlighted a larger issue: the bullpen’s inability to manage the game after his departure—the first time he failed to pitch into the fifth inning this season. Though fans didn’t want to see such a meltdown, it may have prompted the front office to finally address the bullpen’s shortcomings.
Luzardo’s early hook turned the spotlight on Philadelphia’s bullpen depth. In response, Phillies manager Rob Thomson revealed the next day that Mick Abel would rejoin the starting rotation for a game in Toronto, while Taijuan Walker would shift to a relief role. While it’s not the major roster shake-up fans had hoped for, MLB.com’s Paul Casella suggests it’s the most sensible move for now.
With the trade deadline still weeks away, the team will have to rely on internal solutions. Philadelphia’s starting rotation remains one of the league’s best, but expecting flawless outings every game is unrealistic. The bullpen was already thin to start the season and took a major hit when José Alvarado was sidelined for 80 games, including the postseason. While this isn’t the blockbuster addition fans wanted, it’s a necessary short-term fix.
Mick Abel debuted in the majors on May 18 in a high-profile matchup against Paul Skenes, impressing with six scoreless innings, five hits allowed, no walks, and nine strikeouts in a 1-0 win. Initially thought to be a one-time appearance, Abel earned another start set for Wednesday against the Blue Jays.
As for Walker, his time with the Phillies has been uneven, but this year he’s been a valuable asset in both starting and relief roles. He’s compiled a 2-4 record with a 3.53 ERA over 10 games, but has been especially effective out of the bullpen—posting a 3.00 ERA with nine strikeouts and a .182 opponents’ batting average in six relief innings.