Evan

Phillips

Phillips allowed one hit and one walk, but also struck out a batter and didn’t let any runs cross the plate. In 5 2/3 innings at Triple-A this season, he has allowed on runs on five hits with a 5/4 K/BB ratio. Obviously, command is going to be the last thing to return after Tommy John surgery, but Phillips looks close to returning to the Dodgers’ bullpen.

The 31-year-old allowed one hit, one walk, and hit a batter while striking out one. It wasn’t a flawless outing, but Phillips has now thrown 2 2/3 scoreless innings at Triple-A while walking three, striking out three, and allowing two hits. He will need a couple more appearances as he continues to shake the rust off in his return from Tommy John surgery.

Phillips progressed to facing hitters for the third time since last year’s Tommy John surgery. He got in a pair of appearances earlier this month at extended spring training out in Arizona. The 31-year-old former closer figures to be ready to rejoin Los Angeles’ high-leverage mix at some point around midseason.

The 31-year-old right-hander continues to progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but he’s expected to be out until at least July, which means that this move was inevitable. He should be able to provide an already stacked Dodgers’ bullpen with a boost for the second half of the 2026 season.

Phillips was non-tendered in November but returns at the precipice of Spring Training. He pitched in just seven games for the Dodgers last year, with a 0.00 ERA and six strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched. The contract says Phillips should have a shot at a roster spot when healthy, but he’s recovering from Tommy John surgery and is expected to be out until July. The Dodgers now have Edwin Diaz on hand, so despite how well Phillips has pitched, he has no closer appeal without a Diaz injury even once healthy.

Phillips is probably out until midseason after Tommy John surgery and was going to be a free agent after next season anyway, so his projected $6 million salary in arbitration was excessive. There should be wide interest in him on a cheaper deal, maybe one with an option for 2027. He has a 2,66 ERA in 121 2/3 innings the last three seasons.

It sounded ominous when the Dodgers moved him to the 60-day injured list earlier this week and didn’t provide much of an update on his status. We have some clarity now and it’s unfortunately a worst-case scenario. Phillips tried playing catch a couple of days ago and it didn’t go well, prompting another examination and the ultimate diagnosis of the torn UCL. He’ll miss the remainder of the 2025 season and a large chunk of the 2026 campaign as well while recovering.

The Dodgers needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster for Alexis Díaz on Thursday and did so by shuffling Phillips to the 60-day IL. His recent MRI revealed only inflammation in his right elbow and the Dodgers had been hopeful that he would only require a minimum stint on the injured list, so it’s a bit surprising to hear that he’ll now be shelved until the middle of July at the earliest. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues who had been hoping that Phillips could work his way into the saves mix can safely cut bait.

Roberts noted that Phillips will be shut down for two weeks before he starts a throwing progression, so he’ll obviously require much longer than just a minimum stint on the injured list. The 30-year-old right-hander landed on the injured list on Wednesday with what had been termed right forearm discomfort.

It’s an encouraging update after Phillips hit the injured list on Wednesday afternoon for precautionary reasons with forearm discomfort. Roberts added that the 30-year-old high leverage staple won’t need to undergo an MRI and is likely to return when first eligible in roughly two weeks.