PEORIA, Ariz. -- The talent is obvious, but the timing isn't. The A's have a future ace in Jesus Luzardo but must take caution with the lefty when determining when to promote him.

For much of the winter, Luzardo appeared a strong bet to break camp with the big league club despite minimal experience at the Triple-A level (four starts). And even though his first spring outing elicited praise from manager Bob Melvin on Friday, Luzardo's Opening Day chances seem less likely these days.

The A's leave for Tokyo in 20 days, and the last thing they want to do is rush such a decision with their 21-year-old top prospect.

"It's going to be tough," Melvin said Friday morning. "It's a guy we're going to be careful with. If we feel like he needs a little bit more, then that's what we're going to do."

By day's end, after Luzardo was tagged for one unearned run with two hits and one walk while working to better his fastball command, Melvin was echoing his earlier sentiments.

"We just have to feel like he's ready to do it and obviously confident in doing it," he said after the team's 8-1 loss to Seattle. "When he's here, we want him to be able to stay. We don't want to feel like there's some vulnerability and we might have to send him down at some point, but I haven't seen anything in his demeanor there's any vulnerability at this point."

"If they like me, they like me," Luzardo said. "So I don't really feel like I need to prove anything to anyone; I'm just going to get my work in."

Luzardo worked the fourth inning Friday, yielding consecutive hits to put runners on second and third with no outs. A strikeout inched him closer to escape, and Luzardo proceeded to induce what would have been an inning-ending double play if not for botched events at second base.

Luzardo walked his next batter, then got the double play he needed.

"You look for what a youngster does when guys are on base, and I thought he pitched really well then," Melvin said. "If we catch the ball at second base, it's a little different story, but stuff was good. Got himself in a little bit of a jam and got out of it, so I was impressed."

Luzardo topped out at 97 mph -- "We know he's going to throw hard, it's more the movement and spotting the ball," Melvin said -- and showcased his elite breaking ball. Harnessing his fastball command will be critical in the coming weeks.

"I think in development at the Minor Leagues it's easy to get guys out with your breaking balls, but you have to be able to set everything up, and when you have that kind of fastball you need to use it," Melvin said. "It's something we've talked to him about."

A calming yet confident presence guides Luzardo on the mound; though still quite young, he doesn't seem bothered by much -- he shakes off talk of pressure and expectations and promptly delivered a fan-pleasing response when asked about pitching in 40-degree temps.

"It was cold, but I heard it's cold in Oakland," he said, smiling, "so I got to get used to it."

Worth noting

• Matt Chapman (left shoulder) could appear in games as early as next week after being cleared for baseball activity, Melvin said.

• A couple of rotation candidates have been handed starts at home this weekend: Chris Bassitt will go Saturday against the White Sox, with Aaron Brooks pitching Sunday versus the Royals.