Luis Arraez won't be on the Phillies' wild-card roster as he continues to recover from a sprained ankle he suffered late in the regular season.
Interim manager Don Mattingly made the announcement Monday, a day before the Phillies take on the Braves in Atlanta to open the best-of-three series. Philadelphia doesn't have to submit its full roster until Tuesday morning, but Mattingly said the team already knows Arraez won't be on it.
"We still get improvement every day, but not enough," Mattingly told reporters. "He was going to try to hit today and just wasn't able to do it. So, we kind of crossed that bridge today."
Arraez sprained his left ankle trying to avoid a tag at first base in the Phillies' loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night. The three-time batting champion finished second in the National League in batting this season with a .310 average.
Jesus Luzardo will start Game 1 for the Phillies, serving as an opener, Mattingly said. Luzardo returned from a stint on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation Sunday and pitched a scoreless eighth inning in a 7-3 win over the Rays that finally clinched the third NL wild-card spot.
Cristopher Sanchez is scheduled to start Game 2 for the Phillies. Right-hander Jonathan Bowlan (groin) will be available for the team, per Mattingly.
The Braves will counter with ace left-hander Chris Sale in Game 1, with right-hander Tyler Mahle likely to go in Game 2.
Atlanta right-hander Bryce Elder, expected to miss three to four weeks after surgery on his right knee Sept. 8, threw batting practice Monday but will not be on the roster for the series. Right-hander Joe Jimenez, who hasn't pitched since 2024 due to three operations on his left knee, also threw batting practice. Weiss indicated Elder might have a chance to return if the Braves advance to the Division Series.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
