Jesús Luzardo DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo (back, elbow), who was acquired from the Miami Marlins this offseason, said he feels 100 percent after missing time with left-elbow tightness and not pitching after June 16 due to a stress reaction in his lower back. 2024 was a tough year for the lefty, but he did have a 3.48 ERA and 328 strikeouts in 279 innings in 2022 and 2023 with Miami. He's optimistic that his back issues are behind him as the 27-year-old southpaw embarks on his first season in Philly. Luzardo had a rough 5.00 ERA and made only 12 starts for the Fish this past season because of his injuries, but if he can stay healthy in 2025, he'll give the Phillies the deepest starting rotation in the sport. However, with only one season with 20 starts in the big leagues, Luzardo remains a pretty big fantasy risk on draft day.

According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the Philadelphia Phillies are acquiring starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins in exchange for infield prospect Starlyn Caba and outfield prospect Emaarion Boyd. The southpaw battled numerous back and elbow injuries last season which limited to a mere 66 2/3 innings pitched. Across this small stint, Luzardo held a 5.00 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. However, across a career-high 178 2/3 innings in 2023, the left-hander posted a strong 3.58 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. During that season, he struck out 208 batters at a 28.1% rate and held a solid 7.4% walk rate. Fantasy managers should expect Luzardo to slide into a permanent role in the starting rotation which will move Taijuan Walker to the No.6 spot on the depth chart. Even though Luzardo battled numerous injuries in 2024, he carries strong strikeout upside and should be in line to tally double-digit wins pitching on a competing Phillies roster in 2025. Caba was considered the No.4 prospect and Boyd was considered the No.23 prospect in the Philadelphia system according to MLB Pipeline.

The Chicago Cubs' rumored trade talks with the Miami Marlins involving left-hander Jesus Luzardo (back) are "dead," according to 670 The Score's Bruce Levine. Talks were hot between the two clubs on Luzardo, but a deal "doesn't appear to be happening" now. The 27-year-old southpaw was shut down from throwing and placed on the injured list in late June due to back and shoulder issues, and he never returned to pitch for the Fish in 2024, so the Cubs could very well have been scared off by his medicals. He was limited to only 12 starts this past season (66 2/3 innings), and when he was healthy, he took a big step back with a 5.00 ERA and 21.2 percent strikeout rate, which was down from 28.1 percent. Luzardo's numbers likely took a hit due to his injuries, which offers hope he could bounce back in 2025. There remains upside, but keep in mind Luzardo has made 20 starts in a season only once in his career.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Chicago Cubs are expressing interest in Miami Marlins left-handed pitcher Jesus Luzardo. Nightengale also noted that Cubs are actively searching for a suitor for Cody Bellinger and looking for a third baseman. Even after the Cubs acquired superstar Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros, they remain active on the trade front. Luzardo has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his major league career. Last summer, he was able to only log 66 2/3 innings before suffering a lumbar stress reaction. In fact, the southpaw has only pitched over 100 innings once during his six-year major league career. Before the injury, Luzardo held a 5.00 ERA and 1.25 WHIP but was much more effective in 2023, where he posted a 3.58 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP with a 55:208 BB:K ratio across 170 frames. Earlier this offseason, the Cubs signed Matthew Boyd, and if acquired, Luzardo would slot in at the No.5 spot.

Miami Marlins left-hander Jesus Luzardo (back) said that he's planning on returning in the 2025 season and will stay with the club to complete workouts and treatment the rest of this season. Luzardo continues to rest due to a lumbar stress reaction in his back while doing bike workouts and forearm and shoulder strengthening. The 26-year-old southpaw was put on the 15-day injured list back on June 22 before eventually being moved to the 60-day IL on June 23. Luzardo was initially scratched from his start on June 22 after dealing with a back issue for a couple of weeks, and it turned out to be a lumbar stress reaction, ending his season. The former third-rounder went 3-6 before the injury in 2024 with a 5.00 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings over his 12 starts, but he could be an attractive bounce-back candidate with better health in 2025.