WASHINGTON (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies placed All-Star left-hander Jesús Luzardo on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, three days after he was scratched from a start at Atlanta because of left shoulder inflammation.
The move is retroactive to Saturday. Luzardo is eligible to return Sept. 27, the final day of the regular season.
Luzardo had an MRI on Saturday that showed no serious issues, then did not throw Sunday or Monday. Interim manager Don Mattingly said the Phillies’ medical personnel believed Luzardo was better Tuesday but not as far along as they would like.
“Nothing’s really changed as far as our thinking, anything more than just making sure he’s healthy before he pitches again,” Mattingly said before Philadelphia opened a two-game series at Washington.
His absence leaves the Phillies without one of their top starting pitchers as they try to secure a playoff spot. Philadelphia holds the second National League wild card, a half-game behind the Chicago Cubs and a game up on San Diego. The Phillies are 3 1/2 games ahead of Arizona, the next-closest team to a playoff spot.
Luzardo is 14-5 with a 2.87 ERA and made his first All-Star appearance this season. He ranks second in the NL with a career-high 221 strikeouts in 29 starts, and he threw his first career complete game in his last outing, a two-hit shutout of Atlanta on Sept. 7.
“I don’t think anyone’s worried this is long term, this is into next year or anything like that,” Mattingly said. “I think we do think he’s going to be ready to pitch at the end of the year. We just have to take care of our business to get there.”
Philadelphia recalled right-hander Grant Holman from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill Luzardo’s roster spot. Holman gave up five unearned runs while getting one out Saturday in his only appearance for the Phillies this season.
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Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jesús Luzardo is doused by teammates in the dugout after a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jesús Luzardo throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jesús Luzardo throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
CHICAGO (AP) — Connor Bedard has been the central figure for the Chicago Blackhawks since he was selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft.
A capital “C” had been heading toward the front of his No. 98 jersey for a while.
Bedard was named the 37th captain of the Blackhawks on Tuesday, capping an eventful offseason that included a new contract and another shoulder injury. At 21 years, 60 days, he is the second-youngest captain in the history of the Original Six franchise behind Jonathan Toews.
“It's an incredible honor, something I don't take lightly,” Bedard said.
Chicago had gone without a captain since trading Nick Foligno to Minnesota in March. Foligno served as a mentor for Bedard and a wave of prospects that the Blackhawks hope will lead the team back into playoff contention.
Bedard said Foligno called him on Monday night and helped him pick out his clothes for Tuesday's press conference.
“My leadership style won't be the exact same as his, but just getting to kind of see how he handled a lot of the responsibilities and stuff,” Bedard said, “and not just him, we had so many guys in our room that I can look at. But he for sure had a big impact on myself and a lot of our young players.”
The long-expected move comes after Bedard agreed to a $75 million, five-year contract in July. Bedard is also recovering from left shoulder surgery on July 8.
Bedard, who missed 12 games after he hurt his right shoulder on Dec. 12, is expected to miss the start of the season after getting hurt while skating with a group of NHL players in western Canada.
“I'm on the ice doing kind of most of everything and just working in a bit more each day,” Bedard said. “Timeline-wise, I don't really know. It's kind of see as it progresses. But feeling good and just kind of doing everything I can to, like I said, get back as soon as possible.”
Bedard was 18 when he made his highly anticipated NHL debut in 2023. He was heralded as the new face of the Blackhawks, and he won the Calder Trophy as the league’s rookie of the year. He continued his steady improvement in his third season, setting career highs of 30 goals and 45 assists in 69 games.
General manager Kyle Davidson called Bedard “a natural-born leader.”
“He loves the game, he loves this city, he wants to be a leader of a group that brings winning back to Chicago,” Davidson said, “and we know he'll continue to strive to raise the bar for his teammates in how they work every day and how the show up in the city and in the community.”
Chicago went 29-39-14 last year, an 11-point improvement from the previous season and still nowhere near playoff contention. The franchise has finished No. 31 in the NHL each of the past three years.
The Blackhawks are seeking their first postseason appearance since the NHL used an expanded playoff format in the pandemic-affected 2019-20 season.
“The mindset is to win and to get back into the playoffs,” Bedard said. “This city and fan base is used to winning, and we want to bring that back.”
Chicago acquired defenseman Bo Byram in a June trade with Buffalo, and Patrick Kane returned to his first NHL home when he signed a $16 million, two-year contract in free agency. Kane and veteran forward Tyler Bertuzzi will serve as the alternate captains.
Kane, who turns 38 in November, said naming Bedard captain was a great decision.
“It’s been a really, really fun group to be around, and very high vibes, good vibes around everyone, and he’s the leader of that, right?” Kane said. “He leads the charge.”
Chicago is the second team with a vacancy to name a captain in as many days, following the New York Islanders giving the role to veteran center Bo Horvat. The Islanders opted for Horvat over 19-year-old face of the franchise and 2025 No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer, who coach Peter DeBoer did say was considered among several possibilities.
“It shows you how special a kid he is that he was a consideration,” DeBoer said Monday.
San Jose is one of several teams without a captain and has yet to make a decision whether to put 20-year-old Macklin Celebrini into that role.
AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.
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In this photo taken with a smartphone, Chicago Blackhawks Chairman Danny Wirtz, from left, player Connor Bedard, general manager Kyle Davidson and head coach Jeff Blashill pose during a news conference introducing Bedard as the new captain of the NHL hockey club, Tuesday, Sept. 15. 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jay Cohen)
In this photo taken with a smartphono, Chicago Blackhawks players, from left, Patrick Kane, Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi pose during a news conference introducing Bedard as the new captain of the NHL hockey club, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jay Cohen)
FILE - Chicago Blackhawks' Connor Bedard plays during an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
