Jesus Luzardo slated to make first major league start

After two excellent showings as a long reliever, Jesus Luzardo is set to make his first major league start on Tuesday.

After a quick ascension through the minor league system, some star-studded relief appearances and the clambering of A’s fans, rookie Jesus Luzardo will make his first major league start on Tuesday against the Texas Rangers.

Before the MLB season started, Luzardo was slated to be in the rotation for the Athletics. However, a positive COVID test set back the young lefty, and his work in Summer Camp was limited.

Luzardo has been extremely effective so far in relief roles for the A’s. With 6.2 innings of work under his belt and only a 1.35 ERA, Luzardo clearly has the tools necessary to be a big league starter.

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Not only has Luzardo been statistically effective, but he has clearly passed the eye test with coaches and teammates as well. Manager Bob Melvin has raved about Luzardo’s arsenal of pitches, and with a struggling rotation, the A’s could use the help.

Oakland did not have a single starter go a full five innings their first time through the rotation. Frankie Montas broke this streak in his second start, but the bullpen has put in a lot of work through the first seven games.

The 22 year old Luzardo possesses a 97 MPH fastball, a devastating sinker, and an array of off-speed pitches that give him the ability to power or finesse his way out of any situation.

Now that Jesus Luzardo is generally on a five day rhythm for pitching and has a higher pitch count than he originally did coming out of Summer Camp, A’s fans can look forward to Luzardo’s first major league start on Tuesday.