The Dodgers are running it back with one of their most trusted bullpen arms, re-signing reliever Evan Phillips to a one-year, $6.5 million deal. It’s a move that speaks volumes about both the front office’s belief in Phillips’ ability to bounce back and the organization’s commitment to reinforcing a bullpen that saw its share of turbulence last season.
To make room for Phillips on the 40-man roster, Los Angeles designated catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment - again. It’s a familiar transaction for Rortvedt, who’s been caught in the roster shuffle more than once, but the focus here is squarely on the pitcher the Dodgers are bringing back into the fold.
Phillips, 30, is in the middle of a tough rehab journey. He underwent surgery in June of 2025 for a torn rotator cuff and forearm inflammation - a brutal combo that eventually led to Tommy John surgery.
That’s about as serious as it gets for a pitcher, and the recovery timeline is no joke. As a result, Phillips managed just 5.2 innings across seven appearances last year.
But before the injury derailed his season, he was one of the most reliable arms in the Dodgers’ bullpen - and arguably one of the most underrated closers in the league.
From 2022 through 2024, Phillips logged 63 innings, 61.1 innings, and 54.2 innings, respectively, with an additional 15 innings of postseason work. And he wasn’t just eating innings - he was dominating them. His cumulative ERA with the Dodgers over the last five years sits at a stellar 2.22, and his 4.1 bWAR during that stretch is a strong mark for a reliever.
The 2024 postseason, in particular, was a showcase of just how valuable Phillips can be when healthy. He threw 6.2 innings without allowing a single earned run, helping anchor a bullpen that powered the Dodgers to the first of back-to-back World Series titles. That kind of performance doesn’t go unnoticed - especially in October.
So why bring him back now, knowing he won’t be available until midseason at the earliest? Because the Dodgers know what they have in Phillips.
They were the ones who saw his potential before the rest of the league caught on, and they’ve built a reputation for identifying and maximizing undervalued talent. This is a bet on a guy who’s already proven he can perform on the biggest stage, in the toughest moments.
Yes, there’s risk. Returning from Tommy John is never a guarantee, and when you pair that with a rotator cuff injury, the margin for error gets even thinner. But the Dodgers aren’t strangers to taking calculated chances on players with injury histories - especially when those players have already delivered in Dodger blue.
Los Angeles has long shown a willingness to bring back contributors who fit their culture and have proven they can handle the pressure of postseason baseball. Phillips checks both boxes. Now, he’ll have 2026 to show that his recent setback was just that - a setback, not the start of a decline.
If he can return to form, the Dodgers just added a high-leverage weapon back into their bullpen. And if he can’t?
It’s a one-year deal that won’t break the bank. But knowing Phillips - and knowing this front office - don’t be surprised if he’s right back in the mix come October.