Phillies acquire LHP Jesus Luzardo from Marlins for prospects

Field Level Media|published: Sun 22nd December, 11:47 2024

Jun 11, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo (44) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired left-handed starter Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins on Sunday.

The team also will receiver minor league catcher Paul McIntosh from the Marlins in exchange for shortstop Starlyn Caba and outfielder Emaarion Boyd.

MLB Pipeline lists Caba as Philadelphia's No. 4 prospect and Boyd as No. 23.

Luzardo, 27, has a 26-34 career record and a 4.29 ERA in 105 games (89 starts) with the Oakland Athletics (2019-21) and Marlins. in 2024, he was limited to 12 starts due to both left elbow tightness and a lumbar stress reaction that ended his season on June 22. He was 3-6 with a 5.00 ERA.

Luzardo, appearing at a Marlins holiday community event, told MLB.com on Tuesday that he's feeling well.

"(I've) been able to go through my normal offseason progression: throwing, running, starting to get off the mound," Luzardo said. "Feeling really good (with my) elbow, back, whole body, and just really gearing up for spring training and eyeing down that opening day to be 100 percent full-go, which for now, everything feels really good, and we are full-go."

In 2023, he finished 10-10 with a 3.58 ERA in 32 regular-season starts. He struck out 208 batters in 178 2/3 innings.

In Philadelphia, Luzardo could slot into a potentially dominant rotation that projects to include Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez.

Caba, 19, has played 116 games in the low minor leagues for the Phillies and the switch hitter is batting .252 with two homers, 43 RBIs, 66 stolen bases, 95 walks and 65 strikeouts.

Last season at High-A Jersey Shore, the 21-year-old Boyd hit .239 with three homers, 40 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. Some of his numbers fell from 2023, when he hit .262 and stole 56 bases at Single-A Clearwater.

McIntosh, 27, has played in 308 career games in the minors. Last season, at Double-A Pensacola, McIntosh appeared in 117 games and hit .246 with 12 home runs and 55 RBIs.

Luzardo is under club control for two more seasons. In January, he signed a one-year $5.5 million contract to avoid arbitration. He is arbitration-eligible again in 2025.

--Field Level Media

Latest