Jesús Luzardo: Everything you need to know

Luzardo did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Cubs, allowing one run on five hits and four walks while striking out three over 4.2 innings. Coming off a rough stretch in which he allowed a combined 13 earned runs over his last two starts, Luzardo showed some improvement Tuesday despite pitching through consistent traffic. He allowed a runner to reach third base in multiple innings, but the only damage came in the fifth after a leadoff walk and single forced him out, with an inherited runner eventually scoring. While the left-hander was able to limit runs, his command remained inconsistent, as he issued a season-high four walks and allowed five hits for the fifth straight start. Luzardo owns a 6.91 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 33:9 K:BB across 27.1 innings but he should receive a chance to improve his numbers with his next scheduled outing set against a weak San Francisco lineup.

Luzardo (1-3) took the loss Wednesday against the Cubs, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits and one walk while striking out four over 5.1 innings. Luzardo was hit hard throughout the outing, as Chicago consistently squared him up and never let him settle in fully. The left-hander's performance Wednesday continued a troubling early-season trend, as he has now allowed five or more earned runs in three of his first four starts, ballooning his ERA to 7.94 through 22.2 innings. While there's still plenty of time for Luzardo to turn things around, it's been a concerning start after Philadelphia committed to him long term with a five-year, $135 million extension this spring.

Luzardo (1-2) took the loss Friday as the Phillies fell 5-4 to the Diamondbacks, coughing up five runs on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out eight. The southpaw has a no-hitter going through four innings, but the wheels came off quickly for Luzardo in the fifth after a leadoff single by Jose Fernandez. His tendency to lose focus in key moments continues to hold Luzardo back despite his obvious talent -- he has a 1.15 WHIP and 26:4 K:BB in 17.1 innings through three starts to begin the season, but somehow that's led to a 6.23 ERA. He'll try to rebound in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Cubs.