The Los Angeles Dodgers have activated right-handed reliever Evan Phillips off the Injured List, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The former closer has missed most of two seasons due to injury and recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Evan Phillips’ 30-day rehab clock is up. And as expected, he is in the Dodgers clubhouse.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 4, 2026
Necessity Is the Mother of Invention
Evan Philips came to Los Angeles by way of the Tampa Bay Rays organization in 2021. Phillips averaged 11 strikeouts every nine innings, which earned him an ascending role on Manager Dave Roberts‘ trust tree. His 95 miles per hour fastball and devastating sweeper were a lethal combination for hitters and elevated him to closer.
He was virtually unhittable as reflected by a minuscule Earned Run Average of 1.30 over a period of almost two years. The right-hander has struggled to stay healthy since injuries kept him off the World Series roster in 2024.
Just in the Nick of Time
The Dodgers were hoping that their former closer would be able to contribute in the second half of the season when they restructured his contract at the beginning of the year. They have been careful not to rush his return to a major-league mound. Phillips has had a full thirty days to rehab his arm at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He has completed back-to-back outings and done “pitcher things,” Manager Dave Roberts said.
Los Ángeles could use a high-leverage reliever from the right side. Brusdar Gaterol is unavailable. Blake Treinen has struggled to be effective and is going to be out for some time. Kyle Hurt has shown flashes of dominance, but struggled with consistency at times. If Phillips can be anywhere near his dominant self, the Dodgers would welcome him.
The Murky Waters of Recovery
Los Angeles was pretty accurate with Phillips’ timeline to return. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been so cut and dried with catcher Will Smith. What was a “stiff neck” and a day-to-day issue has now turned into the backstop missing more than a month, and he won’t return until after the All-Star Break. He has resumed “baseball activities” previously, but he has had pain every time he “ramps up.” The Dodgers will proceed with caution. In the meantime, Eliezer Alphonso has been called up to replace Chuckie Robinson.
Main Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
