Sources – Phillies acquire Jesus Luzardo in trade with Marlins

The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired left-handed starter Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins for two options, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN on Sunday.

The Phillies send shortstop Starlyn Caba and outfielder Emaarion Boyd to the Marlins in exchange for Luzardo. Caba, 19, played in 26 games for Single-A Clearwater last season. Boyd, 21, hit .239 with three home runs for High-A Jersey Shore.

The Phillies also reportedly receive minor league catcher Paul McIntosh in the deal.

Luzardo, 27, went 3-6 with a 5.00 ERA in just 12 starts last season after missing time with elbow and back problems. He has a career 4.29 ERA in 89 starts for Oakland and Miami over his six seasons in the big leagues.

Luzardo could be considered a “buy-low” candidate, according to a scout who watched him pitch last season. He has yet to reach his full potential, according to the scout, after being drafted in the third round by the Washington Nationals in 2016. His best season came in 2023, when he made 32 starts for the Marlins and went 10-10 with a 3.58 ERA ERA over 178⅔ innings.

Luzardo joins a rotation along with veterans Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez and Christopher Sanchez. The Phillies have been looking to bolster their rotation via trade after retreating from the free agent market this offseason. They signed outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million contract earlier this week, but likely don’t plan to spend as they have in previous winters, according to sources familiar with their thinking.

Luzardo has two more years of team control before becoming a free agent. He made $5.5 million last season but was due a raise for 2025 through arbitration.