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Jesús Luzardo Credits Phillies' Training Staff for Revitalization

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike Ostrowski | Last updated May 26, 2025 2:45 PM ET

Jesús Luzardo has been everything the Philadelphia Phillies wanted and more.

The 27-year-old southpaw has not just gotten back to his peak from his days with the Miami Marlins - he's climbed over it. Through 11 starts, Luzardo has a 2.15 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 77 strikeouts. The 67 innings he's thrown exceed the total from his injury-riddled 2024 campaign, and he's on pace for a career-low ERA.

Jesús says his recent success is partially thanks to the Philly training staff and how they handle his recovery after each start.

"They do such a good job of managing workload and finding ways to really recover in between outings, and I think that’s huge," Luzardo told MLB.com's Theo DeRosa. "Something that in the past in my career maybe I didn’t take as seriously, the recovery aspect of it. Almost taking a step back - not doing more, doing less and letting your body really bounce back. All you need is to be ready for the fifth day"

Luzardo has largely been gifted an extra day of rest this month due to the Phillies' schedule. Sunday was his first time going on just four days off since April 20th against the club that traded him here.

That extra rest has allowed the Phils to stretch out his pitch count. Jesús has thrown over 100 pitches in five of his last starts, which ties the most such outings in a single season during his career. Yet the workload doesn't seem to be bothering him.

"I know we’re getting into June, so it’s a long season, but I feel great right now," Luzardo said.

With today off, the Phillies should give Luzardo another extra day off and line him up for Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers. That could become the standard over the summer if Andrew Painter, Mick Abel, or perhaps Taijuan Walker make the rotation a six-man outfit.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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