A's top prospect Luzardo has Grade 2 lat strain

July 4th, 2019

OAKLAND -- The A’s received tough news on left-hander Jesus Luzardo on Wednesday, when they announced that MRI results revealed a Grade 2 lat strain for the club’s No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline.

Luzardo, MLB's No. 15 overall prospect, was pulled from his start at Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday night after experiencing tightness near his left lat muscle. The club offered no timetable for the southpaw’s return to the mound. However, the chances of Luzardo pitching in the Majors this year may have taken a big hit.

This season, Luzardo is 2-0 with a 2.79 ERA in five games -- three starts for Las Vegas and two relief appearances for Class A Advanced Stockton. He missed the start of the year due to a left shoulder strain he sustained during Spring Training.