Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed relief pitcher Evan Phillips (shoulder) will throw his first bullpen session of the spring on Friday, according to the Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett. Phillips knows that he will not be ready for Opening Day in the two-game series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan, but he is progressing well in his recovery from a subscapularis tear and isn't far behind schedule. The 30-year-old was unavailable for the World Series last fall against the New York Yankees, but he might be able to make his 2025 debut in early April. After the offseason signings of Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, Phillips will be pushed further down the bullpen pecking order whenever he returns and probably won't be an option for many saves, if any at all. Phillips also missed time with a hamstring injury in 2024 and lost the closing gig upon his return.
Evan Phillips Unlikely To Be Ready For Opening Day
According to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips (shoulder) is still recovering from the injury that kept him sidelined during the World Series and is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day. Plunkett noted that the 30-year-old suffered a tear in the back of his rotator cuff. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection in November and only began doing baseball activities in January. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training, but it seems unlikely that he will be ready for Opening Day. Last season, Phillips posted a 3.62 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP across 54 2/3 innings. He tallied 63 punchouts and 18 saves. He generated a strong 32.7 percent hard-hit rate with a solid 3.29 xERA. While Phillips is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Tanner Scott to see most of the save opportunities, with Kirby Yates, Blake Treinen, and Alex Vesia also seeing high-leverage work.
Evan Phillips Should Be Good To Go For Spring Training
Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said that right-handed reliever Evan Phillips (shoulder) is "fine" and should be good to go for spring training in February. Phillips missed the World Series in October due to a right-shoulder injury but didn't require surgery. He has yet to start a throwing program, but as a reliever, he still has plenty of time to do so and still be ready for the start of spring training. The 30-year-old was officially shut down in the postseason with arm fatigue. Phillips wasn't quite as good in his third year in LA in 2024, posting a 3.62 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP, 18 saves and 63:17 K:BB in 54 2/3 regular-season innings out of the bullpen. Despite the disappointing numbers, Evans saved a career-high 24 games for the Blue in 2023 and should have a high-leverage bullpen role yet again in 2025 for the best team in baseball.
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips (arm fatigue) is not on the World Series roster. Phillips is dealing with "dead arm" in his right arm that popped up during Game 6 of the NLCS. He was taken out of that game earlier than expected and the feeling hasn't improved since, causing the Dodgers to leave him off their roster. It is a big loss for Los Angeles, as Phillips was a reliable late-inning arm who hadn't given up a run in 6 IP this postseason. Fortunately, the team will get back Alex Vesia and Brusdar Graterol to make up for the loss of Phillips.
Los Angeles Dodgers closer Evan Phillips recorded his 15th save of the season on Tuesday versus the rival San Francisco Giants. Phillips didn't open the inning as Alex Vesia did, but came on with two runners on. He walked Jorge Soler to load the bags before ending the game with a LaMonte Wade Jr. groundout. Phillips has struggled recently and manager Dave Roberts mentioned before the game that Phillips could be used any time from the seventh inning on, which is not exactly a vote of confidence for managers relying on him for saves. However, it was still nice to see him bounce back in a small sample size Tuesday. Managers should still hold onto Phillips, but it would not be a bad idea to insure him with Daniel Hudson with Vesia also being of consideration.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stopped short of calling right-handed reliever Evan Phillips the team's closer on Monday. Roberts said that Phillips could still pitch in save situations, but that he could also appear in leverage spots earlier in games after his recent struggles. The Dodgers want to give him some opportunities right now to work through his issues. Phillips was roughed up on Sunday night against the Boston Red Sox, allowing three runs on three hits with two walks in just one-third of an inning. He's surrendered runs in five of his seven outings in July, including seven runs (six earned) in 2 1/3 frames in his last three appearances. Fantasy managers shouldn't outright drop Phillips, but benching him until he sorts things out could be the right move. Both Daniel Hudson and Alex Vesia could see save chances in the near future with Phillips in a funk.
Evan Phillips Strikes Out Three, Notches 14th Save
Los Angeles Dodgers closer Evan Phillips earned the save in Friday's 8-5 win over the Brewers. Phillips made quick work of the final three batters, needing just 12 pitches to strike out the side in the ninth. It was Phillips' 14th save of the season and a much-needed clean inning from the reliever after he had allowed a run in two consecutive appearances heading into the game. The righty now owns a 2.03 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and an 8:30 BB:K in 26 2/3 innings pitched.
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Evan Phillips tossed a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. Phillips struck out one and did not allow a baserunner on the way to converting his 13th save in as many opportunities in 2024. The veteran is putting together another excellent season as the Dodgers' primary closer, posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts over 22 2/3 innings of work. He is a valuable asset in fantasy in any league that rewards saves or holds.
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips (hamstring) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of Friday's game. The right-hander is set to make his return after missing time due to a hamstring strain. The expectation is that Phillips is going to slide back into the closer role. Daniel Hudson and Blake Treinen did a solid job covering for Phillips, but they should slide back into set-up roles now. Fantasy managers should make sure to get Phillips off the IL and back in their lineups on Friday.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Tuesday's series opener against the hosting New York Mets that if all goes well with closer Evan Phillips (hamstring), he will return on Friday for the start of a weekend series against the division-rival Colorado Rockies. Phillips has logged one outing on his minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga as he works his way back from Grade 1 right hamstring strain, and he'll likely make another appearance or two before the Dodgers activate him from the injured list. Over 14 appearances before going down, the 29-year-old right-hander allowed a single run with a 17:4 K:BB and converted each of his eight save chances over 13 2/3 innings of work as LA's established closer. Veteran Daniel Hudson figures to be first in line for save opportunities for the early part of Week 10 of fantasy baseball.
Evan Phillips
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Dodgers
