The Philadelphia Phillies have made a significant addition to their starting rotation by acquiring pitcher Jesús Luzardo from the Miami Marlins in a recent trade. The team announced the trade on Sunday.
In addition to Luzardo, the Phillies also received minor-league catcher Paul McIntosh in the deal. On the other side, the Marlins acquired 19-year-old Starlyn Caba, a promising shortstop prospect, and Emaarion Boyd, an outfielder who played in High-A ball in 2024.
To make room for Luzardo on the team’s 40-man roster, the Phillies designated left-handed pitcher Tyler Gilbert for assignment.
Luzardo’s 2024 season was marred by injuries, limiting him to just 12 games. Despite this, he managed to record 58 strikeouts with an ERA of 5.00 and a WHIP of 1.25.
The Peruvian pitcher began his career with the Oakland A’s in 2019 before being traded to the Marlins in 2021. During his time in Miami, Luzardo started 74 games, showcasing his potential in the 2023 season with a 3.58 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.
Caba, a standout prospect in the Phillies system, was signed in 2023 and has quickly risen through the ranks. He is ranked as the No. 4 prospect by MLB.com and No. 5 in the Phillies system by Baseball Prospectus.
The addition of Luzardo to the Phillies’ rotation aims to strengthen their pitching staff, particularly the back end. With Luzardo joining Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, the Phillies hope to bolster their starting rotation for the upcoming season.
Notably, the Phillies have been targeting players who have dealt with injuries in the past offseason. Despite their injury histories, the team signed reliever Jordan Romano and outfielder Max Kepler to short-term deals, showing their confidence in these players to bounce back.
By acquiring Luzardo, the Phillies are taking a calculated risk on a talented pitcher with the potential to make a significant impact if he can stay healthy and perform up to his capabilities.