Evan Phillips has been a steady force out of the bullpen for the Dodgers in recent years, but as the team enters the 2026 season, his future remains uncertain. The 31-year-old right-hander is in the middle of a lengthy recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent over the summer. While his return is expected at some point in 2026, there’s still no clear timeline - and that uncertainty played a role in the Dodgers’ decision to non-tender him this past November.
Make no mistake, though: this isn’t a closed door. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made it clear that the organization is keeping the lines of communication open with Phillips and his camp.
“We had a number of back and forth discussions with Evan and his agent,” Friedman said. “It is challenging with him coming off surgery, so he is going to take some time and look to sign after he throws off the mound when his rehab allows.
Evan has been a big part of our past success and we will continue the conversation about bringing him back. We respect that he is taking this time to decide what is best for him and his family.”
It’s a measured approach, and one that reflects both the Dodgers’ respect for Phillips and the realities of his situation. Coming off a major elbow procedure, Phillips is taking the long view - and reportedly aiming for a one-year deal that would allow him to re-enter free agency next offseason. That means he could wait until as late as July to sign with a team, once he’s healthy enough to throw off a mound and show clubs where his stuff stands post-surgery.
And it’s not just the Dodgers who are keeping tabs. According to a report from The Boston Globe, the Red Sox are among the teams with interest in Phillips.
That’s no surprise, given his recent track record. Even though his 2025 campaign was cut short - he made just seven appearances before landing on the injured list in May - he didn’t allow a run in any of them.
That short but spotless stretch was a continuation of the elite form he showed during the Dodgers’ 2024 World Series run, where he played a crucial role out of the pen.
Phillips has proven he can handle high-leverage innings on the biggest stage, and while Tommy John surgery is no small hurdle, plenty of pitchers have returned to form - and even improved - after going under the knife. The key will be how his velocity, command, and movement look once he starts throwing again. If he resembles anything close to the version of himself that helped anchor the Dodgers’ bullpen over the last few seasons, he’ll be a valuable midseason pickup for whichever team lands him.
For now, it’s a waiting game. Phillips is rehabbing, teams are watching, and the Dodgers - while making moves to shore up their bullpen in the short term - haven’t ruled out a reunion. It’s a situation worth monitoring as the season progresses, especially as contenders look to bolster their relief corps for the stretch run.