Jesus Luzardo’s latest struggles hand the Phillies a major hit in their rotation depth

The Phillies’ rotation, once seen as the backbone of a World Series contender, is starting to show some serious cracks. Jesús Luzardo got shelled again on Friday night, lasting just two-plus innings in a 9-6 loss to the Reds.

After striking out three of the first four batters he faced, Luzardo completely unraveled, allowing six runs (five earned) and failing to record another out in the third inning.

He walked three, gave up six hits, and exited to a chorus of groans from a frustrated Citizens Bank Park crowd. What started as a minor pitch-tipping issue a month ago now feels like something more.

Through his first 11 starts, Luzardo was cruising with a 2.15 ERA. Since then, he’s been lit up in multiple outings, including the historic two-start meltdown at the end of May, and now again on Friday. His season ERA has ballooned to 4.44, and his WHIP sits at 1.47—the second-worst among all qualified starters in MLB.

Jesus Luzardo has lost his command

Luzardo’s breaking ball was a non-factor against Cincinnati. Of the 12 he threw, zero landed in the strike zone. That forced him to lean almost entirely on fastballs and changeups, 26 and 19, respectively and the Reds sat on both. The third inning turned into a repeat of his May disaster against Milwaukee and Toronto.

“I feel like my stuff is just as good,” Luzardo said postgame. “Now, it’s more about commanding it and throwing it for strikes.”

Even in his “better” starts, Jesus Luzardo has been skating on thin ice.

He’s allowed 33 baserunners in his last 18.2 innings, averaging nearly two per inning. That kind of traffic is a recipe for blowups and the trend has continued despite changes to his delivery mechanics after the pitch-tipping concerns.

It’s not just Jesus Luzardo either…

The Phillies optioned top prospect Mick Abel to Triple-A earlier Friday after his own struggles. Taijuan Walker will get the ball Tuesday in San Francisco, but with Aaron Nola still sidelined, the back end of the rotation is officially a question mark.

The top three in Wheeler, Suárez, and Sánchez remain elite. With Luzardo fading, Abel back in Lehigh Valley, and Nola’s timeline still unclear, the Phillies’ once-deep rotation looks a lot thinner than it did just a few weeks ago.

If Luzardo doesn’t right the ship soon, and if Nola’s return isn’t imminent, Dombrowski might have no choice but to go shopping for more than bullpen help. Again.

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