The Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to a five-year, $135 million contract extension with left-hander Jesús Luzardo, keeping him through 2031. The 28-year-old pitcher, acquired from the Miami Marlins last offseason, had a strong debut season with the team. The deal provides rotation stability amid uncertainties with other starters.
Reports confirmed on Monday night that the Philadelphia Phillies and starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo have reached a five-year contract extension worth $135 million, covering the 2027-2031 seasons. The agreement, which includes no deferrals and a $32.5 million club option for 2032 with performance incentives, has not yet been officially announced by the club. Luzardo, who turns 28 this year, was set to become a free agent after the 2026 season but expressed enthusiasm about staying long-term. In December, while at a baseball camp in Coconut Creek, Florida, he said, “I’d obviously love to be a Phillie for a long time. I had a great time last year. I really love the organization and the clubhouse.”
The extension builds on Luzardo's impressive 2025 performance in his first season with Philadelphia. Acquired in a December 2024 trade from the Miami Marlins along with minor leaguer Paul McIntosh in exchange for prospects Starlyn Caba and Emaarion Boyd, Luzardo posted a 15-7 record with a 3.92 ERA over 32 starts. He finished seventh in National League Cy Young Award voting, rebounding from a rough two-start stretch in late May and early June where he allowed 20 earned runs in six innings due to tipping pitches. In his final 19 starts, he went 10-5 with a 3.57 ERA. In the postseason, Luzardo contributed effectively, allowing two runs in six innings during Game 2 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers and an unearned run in 1 2/3 innings of relief in Game 4.
This deal addresses the Phillies' need for pitching depth. Zack Wheeler, recovering from thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September, is expected to return to the rotation in April but is signed only through 2027. Aaron Nola endured his worst season in 2025, while prospect Andrew Painter remains unproven after Tommy John surgery in 2023. Taijuan Walker will hit free agency after the current season. With Cristopher Sánchez under control through at least 2027—and potentially 2030 via club options—Luzardo pairs with him to anchor the rotation. The Phillies finished 96-66 last year, winning their second straight NL East title before falling to the Dodgers in the NLDS.
