Phillies and a $135 million lefty rated as 'biggest disappointments'

Coming off one of his best seasons in 2025 — 15-7 with a 3.92 ERA and struck out 216 in 183.2 innings and finished seventh in the Cy Young Award voting — Luzardo has not lived up to the five-year ($135 million) contract he signed in the offseason. One American League executive pointed out Luzardo's shortcomings in his assessment of the 28-year-old.

“Luzardo was supposed to anchor Philadelphia’s rotation in a World Series window,” an AL executive said. “Instead, he has a 6.91 ERA with hitters batting .295 against him.”

The Phillies did get right-hander Zack Wheeler back to stabilize the starting rotation. Wheeler threw five innings, allowing two earned runs, three walks, and struck out six in his return against the Atlanta Braves on April 25.

However, even with Wheeler back, manager Rob Thomson’s job is in jeopardy. 10.5 games behind the Braves for the lead in the National League East, the Phillies need to turn things around before the season slips further away.

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