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Dodgers Receive Much-Needed Injury Boost With Key Reliever Recovering
Dodgers Receive Much-Needed Injury Boost With Key Reliever Recovering
The Los Angeles Dodgers are getting back right-hander Evan Phillips soon, who has been out for a ton of time over the past year and change.
Phillips went through a torn rotator cuff late in the 2024 season, leading to him missing the World Series.
He came back in the middle of the season, around June, and then suffered a forearm injury, which was initially just discomfort.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt turned out to be structural damage, resulting in surgery and him missing the entire season.
Phillips has now missed two straight postseasons, as the Dodgers won World Series titles.
When healthy, he is certainly a high-leverage arm who can get key outs in intense moments. In 2025, his absence was more keenly felt — the bullpen was a disaster during the season, and they required the starters to go deep to get by.
He started the season on the 60-day injured list amid his ongoing recovery, but a major development happened at the end of May.
Evan Phillip’s rehab progress
Phillips threw from the mound at Dodger Stadium and faced live batters for the third time. With two more outings, he will go down to Triple-A Oklahoma City for a rehab assignment.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“It’s really good to see,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Evan’s a guy that’s very focused and determined, and he’s going to do everything he’s supposed to do to get back. And to potentially have him back is a big weapon that we’ve missed for quite some time, and I miss seeing him around.
“I depended on him a lot when he was active, so to get him back is going to be a big boost to everyone.”
As with any injury, it will be important to monitor how Phillips’ body responds to stress. So far, though, the righty is coming along.
“Happy with how my body’s feeling,” Phillips said. “Still a lot to do ahead of me, so I’ll worry about refining and all that kind of stuff as we go. Just happy to be back out there. Definitely took a moment on the rubber to enjoy being back at Dodger Stadium again. It felt good, for sure.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Dodgers’ bullpen is already a real strength, and the return of Phillips could make it one of the best in baseball.