The Philadelphia Phillies have secured a key piece of their future rotation, agreeing to a five-year contract extension with left-hander Jesus Luzardo, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
The extension is reportedly worth $135 million, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury. The 28-year-old Luzardo was scheduled to become a free agent following the 2026 season, but the new deal ensures he will remain in Philadelphia long term.
The new deal, which begins in 2027, ensures Luzardo will remain a central part of Philadelphia’s long-term plans. By striking the extension before he reached the open market — and before baseball's seemingly inevitable work stoppage — the Phillies avoid the risk of a high-profile bidding war while securing one of the game’s most dynamic left-handed starters during the prime of his career.
The extension — negotiated by agents Roger Tomas and Brodie Van Wagenen of Roc Nation — places Luzardo among the highest-paid left-handed pitchers in baseball, according to Passan. The agreement reflects both his recent performance and the growing market value for top-tier starting pitching across the league.
Jesús Luzardo’s five-year extension is for $135 million, sources tell ESPN. The deal, negotiated by Roger Tomas and Brodie Van Wagenen of Roc Nation, puts Luzardo among the highest-paid left-handed pitchers in baseball and solidifies the Phillies’ rotation going forward.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 9, 2026
Phillies sign Jesus Luzardo to massive extension following career season
Luzardo is coming off a career year in 2025 that saw him go 15-7 with a 3.92 ERA across 32 starts, establishing himself as one of the anchors of the Phillies’ rotation. The Lima, Peru native also set career highs in several key categories, including wins (15), innings pitched (183 2/3) and strikeouts (216), showcasing both durability and swing-and-miss dominance over a full season workload. He finished seventh in NL Cy Young voting in 2025.
Known for a high-octane fastball and sharp breaking pitches, Luzardo arrived in Philadelphia via trade from the Miami Marlins in 2024 and has steadily evolved into a frontline starter capable of missing bats at an elite rate. His ability to generate strikeouts while working deep into games has made him one of the most valuable arms in the National League and a stabilizing presence in a Phillies rotation built to contend.
For Philadelphia, the move reinforces its commitment to maintaining a championship-caliber pitching staff. Locking in Luzardo provides long-term stability at the front of the rotation and ensures the club will continue to rely on one of its most dependable arms for years to come.
With the extension in place, the Phillies now have one of baseball’s best young left-handers secured well into the future — a move that strengthens their foundation as they continue pursuing postseason success.