CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Jesús Luzardo hinted a couple weeks ago that he might parachute into the World Baseball Classic and pitch for Venezuela, if the team reached the semifinals or championship.
It would’ve meant a lot. Luzardo was born in Peru, but his family is from Venezuela.
But Luzardo said on Sunday that he will be watching the WBC from Clearwater.
“It breaks my heart not being able to be there with them, but it got kind of complicated with my situation here, having just signed a [five-year, $135 million] extension, trying to build up how they want me to build up here,” Luzardo said, following Sunday morning’s bullpen session at BayCare Ballpark.
Venezuela will play Italy on Monday night in a semifinal game at loanDepot park in Miami. If Venezuela beats Italy, it would play the United States or Dominican Republic in the championship game on Tuesday night.
Luzardo said he could have started the championship game on normal rest.
“It’s just unfortunate I’m not going to be able to make it,” he said. “[The Phillies] just made a big commitment to me and my family, and I’m committed to them and getting ready for the season. Especially getting so close to Opening Day, it would have been a whirlwind.”
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Cristopher Sánchez has started twice for the Dominican Republic in the WBC, including Friday’s semifinal against Korea. He will not pitch again in the WBC. Aaron Nola has started once for Italy. He could pitch in the championship game against the United States or Dominican Republic, if Italy beats Venezuela.
Taijuan Walker made one start for Mexico. He rejoined the Phillies on Saturday and pitched on Sunday against the Braves.
“I was in talks with Venezuela trying to see what we could do,” Luzardo said. “It’s just unfortunate it wasn’t able to work out. ... [The Phillies] want to make sure I get the innings and the ups and the pitches, which, who knows if that would have or would not have happened.”
No question it would have been a cool moment for Luzardo and his family. Not only because of his Venezuelan roots, but he grew up in South Florida, too.
But there will be more opportunities to make his family proud in more ways in the future. Luzardo said last year that he once promised his dad that he would get a college degree.
Luzardo said he still plans on it.
“Maybe not this year,” he said, laughing. “I have a lot of credits to go, but that’s a promise I made to him and I plan on keeping it.”
Luzardo previously took online classes at the University of Florida and Florida International University. He said he could see himself getting a finance or business degree.
“I tried finance a little but macroeconomics kicked my [butt],” he said, smiling. “I didn’t have too much time on my hands traveling around on 12-hour bus rides. ... I want to be as educated as possible. Just because we’re baseball players doesn’t mean we can’t get the degree. And I made that promise to my dad. I made that promise to him at 18 and I plan on keeping it.”
Luzardo’s father Jesús still works. His father and mother Monica run the Jesús Luzardo Family Foundation.
“I always tell him it’s time to retire, but he’s a workaholic,” Luzardo said. “He works really hard. Sets a great example for me.”