Luzardo activated off IL for Game 162, though Phils not sure how (or if) he'll be used

PHILADELPHIA -- Jesús Luzardo is back on the Phillies’ pitching staff, but will he pitch in Sunday’s series finale?

“We’re going to talk about how much availability he has,” Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said before Sunday’s regular-season finale against Tampa Bay. “The only problem with Zeus is we don't really know. Right? Obviously, he's been one of our best pitchers, and we're not going to be shy about using him. How much we're going to be able to use him, that’s another question.”

Luzardo hasn’t pitched since Sept. 7 because of inflammation in his left shoulder. He had been scheduled to pitch a simulated game on Saturday, but rain cancelled those plans. If Luzardo pitches on Sunday, it will be his first time throwing to hitters since his two-hit shutout against the Braves nearly three weeks ago.

But desperate times call for desperate measures, and Luzardo might be the Phillies’ best option coming out of the bullpen.

If Luzardo doesn’t pitch on Sunday and the Phillies clinch an NL Wild Card berth, it’s possible Luzardo could start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Braves on Tuesday. Phillies right-hander Andrew Painter threw in the bullpen on Sunday. He could be an option, too.

Zack Wheeler had been scheduled to start Game 1, but those plans changed when the Phillies squandered most of a five-game lead over Arizona with eight games to play. Aaron Nola pitched on short rest on Saturday. He threw only 21 pitches, so he also could be in play to start Game 1.

To make room for Luzardo on the 28-man roster, right-hander José Urquidy was designated for assignment.