An Awkward Moment for Phillies Manager Rob Thomson
Phillies manager Rob Thomson found himself in a bit of a tight spot during his team’s spring training game against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday afternoon. As he often does during these exhibition matches, Thomson agreed to a mid-game interview with ESPN during the bottom of the second inning. However, the moment turned awkward when Jesus Luzardo, the starting pitcher for the Phillies, loaded the bases and gave up a grand slam, followed by two more solo home runs, all within the span of three consecutive pitches. Detroit’s barrage of back-to-back-to-back home runs was a humbling reminder of the unpredictable nature of spring training, where pitchers are still finding their rhythm and experimenting with different pitches and strategies.
Luzardo’s Struggles and the Silver Lining
Jesus Luzardo’s performance on Wednesday was a far cry from his impressive debut last week against the Boston Red Sox, where he pitched two perfect innings. In his second start of the spring, Luzardo allowed six runs over just two innings, facing a barrage of home runs from Jahmai Jones, Andy Ibañez, and Gleyber Torres. The home runs came on an 88 mph middle-middle changeup, an 84 mph middle-middle slider, and a 95 mph middle-in sinker. Despite these setbacks, Thomson and the Phillies are not overly concerned. This is a time when pitchers are still fine-tuning their mechanics, focusing on specific zones, and trying to build consistency. The silver lining in Luzardo’s performance is his velocity, which has remained strong and consistent, averaging 95-96 mph with his four-seam fastball and sinker. This is a positive sign of his health and recovery, which is crucial as the regular season approaches.
Wheeler’s Similar Struggles
Luzardo’s struggles were not isolated. Just a day earlier, Zack Wheeler, another key pitcher for the Phillies, also gave up six runs over two innings in his second start of the spring. Wheeler faced the Minnesota Twins and had a similarly rough outing. However, like Luzardo, Wheeler’s velocity and overall health were solid, which is more important than the immediate results during this phase of the season. Both pitchers are working through the kinks and getting their timing down, and the team is not likely to sound any alarms based on these early spring performances. Pitching coach Chris Young and the rest of the coaching staff will be analyzing the data and video to help Luzardo and Wheeler make the necessary adjustments as they prepare for the regular season.
The Home Run Problem
The home runs Luzardo allowed on Wednesday were a reminder of an issue that plagued him earlier in his career. In 2021, Luzardo gave up 20 home runs in just 95⅓ innings, a concerning rate of nearly two homers per nine innings. However, over the last two seasons (2022-2024), he has significantly cut that rate in half. This improvement is a testament to the work he has put in to refine his pitch selection and location. While Wednesday’s outing was a step back, it is important to remember that spring training is a time for learning and growth. Luzardo will have a few more starts to dial in his pitches and regain the form that saw him reduce his home run rate in recent years.
Looking Ahead to Regular Season Starts
With the regular season just around the corner, Thomson is already thinking about the lineup for the Phillies’ opening games. Luzardo is expected to start three more times during spring training, which should give him ample opportunity to get back on track. The manager is considering his options for the first few games of the season, with the goal of splitting up his right-handed starters (Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola) to provide balance to the pitching rotation. Among the lefties, Thomson wants to separate Cristopher Sanchez and Luzardo, as they have more similar pitching styles compared to Ranger Suarez. This strategic decision will likely result in Wheeler starting on Opening Day, followed by either Sanchez or Luzardo in Game 2, Nola in Game 3, and then the remaining two lefties filling out the rotation for Games 4 and 5.
A Focus on Health and Development
Despite the rough outing, the Phillies remain committed to fostering a positive and developmental environment for their pitchers. Thomson and the coaching staff understand that the results of spring training games are not the most important metric; rather, it is the health and progress of the pitchers that matter most. Luzardo’s strong velocity and the improvements he has made in recent seasons bode well for his role in the Phillies’ rotation. The team will continue to monitor his performance and make adjustments as needed to ensure he is ready to contribute effectively when the regular season begins. As the spring training games continue, the focus will stay on building the pitchers’ confidence and ensuring they are in top form for the challenges ahead.
