Phillies' Rob Thomson Defends Decision to Leave Jesus Luzardo in Amid Poor Outing
The Philadelphia Phillies suffered an embarrassing defeat, losing 17 to 7 to the Milwaukee Brewers in the team's worst loss of the year. Phillies manager Rob Thomson was in the center of debate, as he left starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo in for debatably longer than he should've.
Advertisement
With Thomson not going to the bullpen, Luzardo's ERA soared to 3.58 after allowing 12 earned runs in 3.1 innings. Before his disastrous outing against the Brewers, Luzardo had a 2.15 ERA across 67 innings. After Luzardo's rough outing, Thomson was asked whether he should've gone to the bullpen.
After the game, Thomson defended himself amid his decision to keep Luzardo in the game despite getting shelled. During Phillies Postgame Live on NBC Sports Philadelphia, Thomson explained his decision to keep Luzardo in.
"Statistics matter," Thomson said. "You want your guys to have great years, but at some point, too, you've got to battle through things, and you've got to do it for your teammates. You've got to strike that balance."
Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (59) is ejected from the game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park.Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Thomson's decision to keep Luzardo out on the mound amid his worst outing was a questionable one. It might've taken Luzardo out of the Cy Young race, and could jeopardize his All-Star candidacy.
Advertisement
While those individual accolades may not matter to Thomson or even Luzardo, they do play a role in the Phillies fans' minds. Having a player earn such an award is a great source of pride for the fanbase.
Bryce Harper winning the MVP in 2021 was a big deal for the Phillies and their fans. Luzardo was off to an incredible start to 2025, and he was in Cy Young discussions along with fellow Phillies ace Zack Wheeler.
But this outing likely takes Luzardo out of that race. As other starters around the league have put together great seasons, Luzardo's blow-up outing puts him behind in the Cy Young and All-Star rankings.
While Thomson's decision and explanation are best for the team, the fans don't look at it the same way. Having Luzardo knocked out of the Cy Young race after such a strong start, just to save the bullpen in a game in late May, isn't a fair trade-off.
Advertisement
But, Luzardo isn't completely out of things, and if he can have an incredible rest of the year, securing individual accolades is far from off the table. This outing, however, is a tough blow in what was shaping up to be an incredible Phillies debut season.
Related: Phillies Call Up Minor-League Reliever, DFA Struggling Veteran Reliever
Related: Would José Alvarado Be Useful in Phillies Trade Discussions?
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
20 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Astros' Concerning Announcement Spells Trouble For Playoff Hopes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As they battle to fight off a charge from the surging Seattle Mariners, the Houston Astros have managed to hold on to what is now just a one-game lead in the American League West. After an announcement by manager Joe Espada on Monday, the Astros' chances of a fifth straight division title -- ninth straight, discounting the abbreviated 2020 season -- suddenly looked much dimmer. Six-time All-Star closer Josh Hader has saved 28 games for the Astros this season, and did not blow a save until July 12, against the Texas Rangers in Hader's 40th appearance. That remains his only blown save so far. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Josh Hader #71 of the Houston Astros walks across the field prior to the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Josh Hader #71 of the Houston Astros walks across the field prior to the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Of Houston's 67 wins prior to Tuesday's home game against the Boston Red Sox, Hader has pitched in 42 of them. "Losing him for any length of time would be a crippling blow," wrote Athletic Astros correspondent Chandler Rome late Monday night. But losing Hader is exactly what the Astros are potentially looking at, after Espada announced that the nine-year veteran was unavailable to pitch in the season opener Monday against the Red Sox due to what the manager described as "shoulder discomfort." The southpaw was set to undergo tests on the shoulder Monday, but the Astros had not announced any results as of Tuesday morning. More MLB: Astros Dealing With Frustrating News on Highly Anticipated Outfield Prospect Since being swept by Boston in a three-game Fenway Park set, the Astros have stepped on the gas, winning five of seven. But Hader has not pitched since last Friday, when he threw two innings against the New York Yankees in what ended as a 10-inning victory for Houston. That outing was Hader's second two-inning stint in eight appearances, and just his fourth of the year. He was not been called upon to throw multiple innings at all between April 8 and July 19. Hader has now pitched 52 2/3 innings, after throwing 71 last season -- his highest total since his 75 2/3 inning 2019 season. He has now pitched 180 innings over his last three seasons, Hader's highest three-year total since logging 204 2/3 in the first three years of his career, 2017-2019, with the Milwaukee Brewers. But Hader is now 31 years old, compared to those initial three seasons which took him from age 23 to 25. More MLB: Yankees Fans Hope Latest Aaron Boone Ejection Precursor to Firing On Monday, with the Astros leading 7-6, two outs in the ninth inning and a runner on second base, Espada brought in lefty Bennett Sousa to face Red Sox Rookie of the Year candidate Roman Anthony — exactly the type of lefty vs. lefty matchup tailor-made for Hader. Sousa fanned Anthony to end the Red Sox' threat and nail down the save. If Hader misses significant time, the Astros will need numerous performances just like that one from Sousa and their other relievers if they hope to keep their grip on the division title, and possibly even a playoff spot as well. More MLB: Astros' Disturbing Announcement Gives Team MLB Lead in Unwanted Category
NBC Sports
an hour ago
- NBC Sports
Bradley Beal on joining Clippers: 'I need a ring. I need one bad.'
Bradley Beal had options after he agreed to a buyout with Phoenix that allowed the Suns to waive-and-stretch the remaining money on his contract — Beal was a free agent. Teams from across the league were calling. Beal chose the Los Angeles Clippers. Why? To win a ring, he told Tamar Sher of KMOV 4 when Beal was back in his hometown of St. Louis. "I need a ring." Bradley Beal speaks about signing with the @LAClippers, his connection to teammate CP3, and why he gives to the next generation of St. Louis talent with @BradBealElite. Catch the full interview tonight on Sports Sunday after @KMOV at 10. 'I feel like I've got a new life of rejuvenation for sure, a new hunger.' Beal is stepping into a key role with the Clippers, the one Norman Powell played at a near All-Star level for the team last season: Sharpshooter to space the floor, being a secondary shot creator on the wing next to James Harden, and running the second unit. Beal has come to a team that should win a lot of games: The Clippers were a 50-win team last season and should be improved after adding solid veteran depth around Harden and Kawhi Leonard, such as Brook Lopez as a backup center and John Collins at the four. But are they contenders? Can Harden be trusted in the playoffs? Will Leonard be healthy? The other challenge for coach Tyronn Lue will be balancing a deep roster, but one that has some one-way players. For example, do the Clippers start Beal next to Harden for the offense, or start Kris Dunn for the defense? Is Collins the starting four, or does he come off the bench and Derrick Jones Jr. starts because of his superior defense? Lue tried not to play Dunn and Jones Jr. together last season because it ruined the team's floor spacing. Lue has to find that balance again. Beal has joined a team where he feels comfortable, is going to have a big role, and is going to do a lot of winning in the regular season. However, he may not need to formalize his ring size just yet.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Blue Jays' Bo Bichette Gets Encouraging Projection with Free Agency Looming
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Bo Bichette's resurgence has been an encouraging storyline in a very fun season for the Toronto Blue Jays. Coming off a brutal year where he missed half the Blue Jays' games and saw his offensive stats fall off a cliff, Bichette has rebounded and found his former All-Star form. With an .807 OPS this year, Bichette is back above his career average. He's also got 16 home runs, all of which have come since the start of May, and 78 RBIs, which is tops among major league shortstops. TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 28: Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on before playing the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on March 28, 2025 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by) TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 28: Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on before playing the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on March 28, 2025 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by) Sousa/Getty At one point, it looked like Bichette's free agency would be a tough sell. But now, with only two months of regular-season ball to go before he hits the open market, it appears the 27-year-old is primed to cash in. On Tuesday, The Athletic's Tim Britton projected Bichette as the No. 2 free agent in this winter's class, behind Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs. That label should prove fruitful if it indeed holds true when the market opens. "The Jays have the AL's best record, and that's in no small part owing to their shortstop's renaissance. Bichette's numbers this season align neatly with the career track record he compiled before last year's unpleasantness, and he's been especially hot (as Toronto has) since just before the All-Star break," wrote Britton. "Since July 7, only Nick Kurtz has compiled more wins above replacement (according to FanGraphs) than Bichette. He's the easy No. 2 in this free-agent class behind Kyle Tucker." If Bichette is indeed the second-most coveted free agent behind Tucker, who looks like a candidate for at least $400 million, he would be set up nicely to make well over $100 million and possibly eclipse $200 million on the open market. Spotrac's calculated annual value for Bichette is over $21 million, and that could climb in an aggressive market. Of course, Bichette's primary objective is to bring the Blue Jays a World Series first. But Toronto has serious decisions to make about how much they think their homegrown shortstop is worth. More MLB: Red Sox's Roman Anthony Matches Ted Williams' 86-Year-Old Franchise Record
