The Philadelphia Phillies have added another pitcher to their bullpen in a trade with the Miami Marlins, the team announced on Sunday. The Phils acquired left-handed pitcher Jesús Luzardo, 27, and catcher Paul McIntosh, 27, from the Marlins in exchange for minor league shortstop Starlyn Caba and outfielder Emaarion Boyd.
The 27-year-old, described by CBS Sports as “one of the most electric weapons in baseball,” pitched 66 ⅔ innings and posted a 5.00 ERA with 58 strikeouts while working through back and elbow issues in 2024. Luzardo played in 105 games and made 89 starts over six seasons with the Marlins and Oakland Athletics.
According to CBS Sports, Luzardo has had his fair share of injuries during his time in the MLB. Recently, the newly acquired pitcher struggled with finger, forearm, elbow and back problems. Additionally, he underwent Tommy John surgery while an amateur in 2016.
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The 2023 season marked the first time Lozardo started more than 18 games in the MLB. The 27-year-old started 32 games with a 3.58 ERA and had 208 strikeouts that year.
The native of Lima, Peru, stands 6-foot-1 and was initially drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 2016 MLB Draft.
Meanwhile, the Phillies’ newest catcher, 27-year-old McIntosh, played 117 games for Double-A Pensacola last season. McIntosh slashed .246/.340/.385 with a .725 OPS, 32 extra-base hits (18 2B, 2 3B, 12 HR) and a 10.4 percent walk rate (50 BB, 480 PA).
The catcher hails from Atlanta, Georgia, and was selected by the Nationals in the 2018 MLB Draft.
