Despite boasting an elite, deep pitching staff, the Los Angeles Dodgers will be without a key bullpen piece when they open their season against the Chicago Cubs in the Tokyo Series this March. Reliever and former closer Evan Phillips has revealed that he won’t be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign due to a slight rotator cuff tear.
Phillips assured fans that his rehab is progressing well, and he expects to return by mid-April. Given the Dodgers’ impressive bullpen depth bolstered by the recent additions of Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates there’s little urgency to rush him back, especially after he missed the latter part of the 2024 postseason.
The 30-year-old right-hander had a solid but slightly down year in 2024, posting a 3.62 ERA across 54 innings. This was a departure from his dominant 2022 campaign, where he boasted a microscopic 1.14 ERA over 63 innings with 77 strikeouts. In 2023, he took over as the team’s primary closer, notching 24 saves.
With the emergence of arms like Scott and Michael Kopech, Phillips is expected to transition into a sixth- or seventh-inning role rather than closing, which could ease some of the pressure on him. Since joining the Dodgers in 2021, Phillips has been one of the many players who have completely revitalized their careers within the organization.
