A's top prospect Jesús Luzardo will not accompany the team on its season-opening trip to Japan, but that might actually signal good news for his chances to make the starting rotation.
The 21-year-old left-hander will stay in Arizona in order to continue his normal throwing schedule in minor league camp. Luzardo will also start one of the A's preseason games against the Giants later this month.
"We just didn’t have the innings for him (in Japan)," A’s manager Bob Melvin told MLB's Jane Lee and other reporters Sunday. "It doesn’t mean he’s being sent down.