Left-hander Jesús Luzardo and Phillies agree to $135 million deal for 2027-31

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Left-hander Jesús Luzardo and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed on a $135 million, five-year contract that starts in 2027.

Philadelphia said Tuesday the deal for the 28-year-old includes a 2032 team option.

He went 15-7 with a 3.92 ERA in 183 2/3 innings and was second in the National League with 212 strikeouts in his first season with the Phillies.

Luzardo agreed in January to an $11 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration. He entered this season seven days shy of six years of major league service, a level that would have made him eligible for free agency.

He was acquired ahead of the 2025 season in a trade with Miami and instantly helped solidify the rotation – he struck out 11 in his first start against Washington — as the Phillies won their second straight NL East championship. The only time a pitcher recorded more strikeouts in his first game with Philadelphia came in 1997, when Garrett Stephenson had 12 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Luzardo is 41-41 over seven seasons that also included stops with Oakland and the Marlins. He is the latest Phillies starter to agree to a long-term deal.

Cristopher Sánchez has a $22.5 million, four-year contract through the 2028 season, Zack Wheeler a $126 million deal through the 2027 and Aaron Nola a $172 million, seven=-year agreement through 2030. Rookie Andrew Painter is expected to earn the fifth-starter spot in the rotation

The Phillies had a busy offseason. They gave manager Rob Thomson a one-year extension through 2027 after he led the Phillies to their fourth straight playoff appearance, signed NL home run champion Kyle Schwarber to a $150 million, five-year deal and three-time All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto to a $45 million, three-year contract.

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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb