Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jesus Luzardo has received an eye-opening outlook following his contract extension.
The Philadelphia Phillies locked up Jesus Luzardo heading into the 2026 MLB campaign, handing the left-handed pitcher a five-year, $135 million extension.
That followed an impressive debut campaign with the Phillies in which Luzardo logged a 3.92 ERA while allowing 167 hits and racking up 216 strikeouts over 183.2 innings.
But what will Luzardo do for an encore this season?
ESPN's Jeff Passan seems to be expecting big things from the 28-year-old, saying he could end up being the best No. 3 starter in baseball this year.
"Working with Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham and the rest of the pitching infrastructure in Philadelphia has done wonders for Luzardo, who passed up on free agency to sign a five-year, $135 million contract extension this week," Passan wrote. "At 28, Luzardo's stuff is as good as ever, and if he can avoid issues with his troublesome back, he gives the Phillies the sort of rotation that can go blow-for-blow with the Dodgers' starters."
Of course, Luzardo will actually begin 2026 as Philadelphia's No. 2 starter behind Cristopher Sanchez as Zack Wheeler recovers from thoracic outlet syndrome. But once Wheeler returns, Luzardo will slide into the No. 3 role.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jesus Luzardo. Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images.Last season, the southpaw was actually Philly's No. 4 with Ranger Suarez also still in tow, which gives you an idea of just how deep the club's rotation was in 2025.
But there is no question that Luzardo has frontline stuff, as evidenced by his 2.90 FIP.
It's not like this was the first time the Peruvian native flashed elite talent, either. Back in 2023 with the Miami Marlins, Luzardo pitched to the tune of a 3.58 ERA, surrendering 162 hits while registering 208 punchouts across 178.2 frames.
Those numbers were very similar to Luzardo's inaugural campaign with the Phillies.
Luzardo actually entered the big leagues with the Oakland Athletics back in 2019, but struggled before being dealt to Miami midway through 2021. He appeared to find his groove in South Beach, and the Marlins eventually traded him to Philadelphia following the 2024 season.
The former third-round pick can be inconsistent at times, but he is definitely a great No. 3 starter in a contender's rotation.
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