A's optimistic Luzardo could return by end of the month

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Athletics starter Jesús Luzardo was the first to admit the way he sustained a broken pinky in his left hand was “stupid and immature.” The freak accident occurred while he was playing a video game. He took responsibility and spoke openly to the media about it after it occurred.

The injury happened prior a few hours prior to his May 1 start against the Baltimore Orioles. A’s head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta gave updates Saturday on Luzardo’s rehab and when to expect him back on the mound.

Luzardo was seen sporting a device on his left hand in the dugout after the inury with wires coming out of it.

“It’s called a sam Sport, it is a low-level ultrasound unit that also uses as a bone stimulator,” Paparesta said on Saturday. “So we’re using it to help stimulate some healing within the bone that has been fractured in his left hand.”

Luzardo wears it in four-hour increments, and the training staff tries to have Luzardo wear it during game time. 

This season, Luzardo is posting a 5.79 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 28 innings.

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Paparesta was asked if it was optimistic Luzardo could be ready by the end of the month, and he said “yes.”

Luzardo also was playing catch on Saturday at 60 feet with low effort and will increase the length as the week goes on.

The staff will be observing to ensure Luzardo’s fracture hasn’t gotten any bigger, or whether any slippage has occurred.

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