Jesús Luzardo’s first big league start could be boost A’s need: ‘When he’s on the mound, we’re expecting to win that game’
OAKLAND — Riding a three-game losing streak, the Oakland A’s needed a boost. And, yes, with wins at a premium in this 60-game season, a three-game losing streak just seven games into the season calls for an adrenaline kick.
The team got that boost with manager Bob Melvin announcing that Jesús Luzardo will make his first big league start Tuesday against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum.
“It’s exciting for the whole entire team, the energy he brings,” A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt said. “When he’s on the mound, we’re expecting to win that game, so he’s obviously a boost we need right now.”
Even without a start under his belt, Luzardo, the A’s No. 1 prospect, is considered one of baseball’s top rookies. He’s well positioned at the forefront of the American League Rookie of the Year conversation.
“I think the way he can manipulate the fastball is impressive enough,” Bassitt said. “He can pitch from 92 to 100, can manipulate speeds form his two-seam to four-seam and has great off-speed. He’s truly the total package.
“If he stays healthy he is a Top 10 pitcher, easily, and is pushing Top 5.”
A pair of errors blemish Luzardo’s two appearances out of the bullpen this season, in which he’s given up one earned run — three runs total — in 6.2 innings with seven strikeouts and three walks against the Los Angeles Angels and Colorado Rockies. His slider has been particularly devastating, with a high-90s fastball that moves. Luzardo has a 1.35 ERA in 2020.
“Yeah I like him in the rotation, I like him in the rotation. I like him pitching,” manager Bob Melvin said. “And he’s shown he can handle both…We’re trying to figure out where he best fits, and at this point in time it looks like the rotation.”
The 22-year-old left-hander’s highly-anticipated move into the rotation comes nearly a year delayed due to a slew of major injuries that slowed his high trajectory.
Luzardo was first sidelined for six weeks in March 2019 with a rotator cuff injury; after a sterling spring he was expected to start the season in the rotation. That July, Luzardo experienced another set-back when diagnosed with a Grade 2 lat strain.
He made his big league debut last September out of the bullpen, allowing two earned runs over six appearances with 16 strikeouts.
Finally looking cleared to join the rotation this spring, sports’ shutdown prolonged his big league start yet again. A bout with the coronavirus prior to the truncated 2020 season delayed his first big league start a bit longer.
Right-handed pitcher Daniel Mengden will move into the bullpen to make room for Luzardo in the five-man rotation. Frankie Montas will start in Monday’s finale against the Mariners in Seattle on regular rest.