Evan Phillips has been a quiet cornerstone of the Dodgers’ bullpen over the past few seasons - the kind of reliever who doesn’t just fill a role, but elevates it. Whether he was closing games, bridging innings, or entering high-leverage spots, Phillips consistently delivered. He became one of those arms that managers trust without hesitation - and that teammates rally behind.
But 2024 didn’t end the way Phillips or the Dodgers had hoped. An arm injury sidelined him during the World Series against the Yankees, leaving a major hole in the Dodgers’ relief corps during the biggest games of the year. It was a tough blow for a team built on depth and flexibility, and an even tougher one for a pitcher who had earned every bit of that postseason stage.
He entered 2025 with hopes of bouncing back, but the comeback trail hit a detour. After just seven appearances, Phillips landed back on the injured list in May.
This time, the diagnosis was more serious: Tommy John surgery. That’s a year-long road, at minimum, and for a 30-something reliever, it can be career-defining.
In a move that surprised some but made sense from a financial standpoint, the Dodgers chose to non-tender Phillips, making him a free agent. It’s a business decision - one the team has made before with injured veterans - but it doesn’t necessarily close the door on a reunion. In fact, it might just be a pause.
There’s still mutual interest between Phillips and the Dodgers. The front office knows what he brings to the clubhouse and the mound.
And Phillips, by all accounts, is open to a return once he’s healthy. The timeline?
If all goes well, he could be ready by midseason - think June or July - which would line up nicely for a second-half push.
But L.A. isn’t the only team watching.
The Boston Red Sox have reportedly expressed interest in Phillips, and the fit makes some sense. He’s an East Coast native, and the idea of returning closer to home could be appealing.
For a team like Boston - looking to shore up its bullpen without breaking the bank - Phillips represents a classic low-risk, high-upside play. Sign him to a one-year deal, let him rehab on their timeline, and if he returns to form, you’ve got a late-inning weapon for the stretch run.
That’s exactly the kind of deal Phillips is said to be targeting: a one-year contract that gives him a chance to prove he’s still the guy who dominated hitters not long ago. If he can show that, he’ll be back on the open market in 2027 with a chance to land a longer-term deal.
Tommy John surgery isn’t what it used to be - in a good way. The recovery process is more predictable now, and teams are better equipped to guide pitchers through it. The Dodgers, in particular, have a reputation for patience with injured arms, often giving players every opportunity to get right before throwing them back into the fire.
That’s part of why a reunion still feels very much in play. Phillips has history with the club.
He has trust. And when healthy, he’s been one of the best relievers in the National League - a guy with swing-and-miss stuff, command, and poise in big moments.
Those guys don’t grow on trees, and they don’t stay on the market long.
Of course, other contenders are watching closely. If Phillips shows progress in his rehab and looks like he’ll be ready by midseason, don’t be surprised to see more teams enter the mix.
A healthy Evan Phillips is a game-changer in October. And in a league where bullpens often make or break seasons, that’s the kind of arm teams will gamble on - even if it means waiting a few extra months.