We might have a problem
Alright, we’ve seen what happens when the Phillies have struggling starters. In the case of Taijuan Walker, he was demoted to the bullpen. In the case of Mick Abel, he was demoted to the minors. Now, it’s starting to look like they have an issue with Jesus Luzardo.
Once the apple of the team’s eye, Luzardo has struggled recently to throw strikes. The issues he’s been having out of the stretch seem to be easily corrected, but why haven’t they corrected them yet? If we can see it all plain as day and the data is there to back it up, what is the team waiting for?
Which brings us to our question of the day: what are the next steps with Luzardo? We’ve talked about the possibility that he becomes the one to move to the bullpen if and when the team makes it to those rounds, but that isn’t happening any time soon. He’ll remain in the rotation for now, but one has to wonder if there is a pause taken with his season thanks to his missing time last year with an injury. They’re currently experiencing injuries of their own, making Luzardo’s spot in the rotation rather secure. But what can they do to get him right? He is needed, and needed to be a solid piece, so they need to get him right…and soon.