The Dodgers are navigating a tricky offseason, juggling injury questions, roster depth, and some splashy bullpen changes. Let’s break down what’s going on with Enrique Hernández’s injury and contract, Evan Phillips’ recovery from Tommy John, and the Edwin Díaz signing that’s shaking up LA’s late-inning plans.
Dodgers Injury Updates, Re-Signings and The Edwin Díaz Factor
The club decided to keep Enrique Hernández on a one-year, $4.5 million deal, even though he’s still healing from a torn muscle in his left, non-throwing arm. He had surgery in November, so a midseason return seems realistic. GMs and scouts are trying to figure out how his flexibility fits into a lineup built for October. At the same time, the Dodgers are hoping for a healthy Evan Phillips and a big bullpen boost from Edwin Díaz. Díaz’s arrival could totally change how they handle close games.
Enrique Hernández: Injury, Return Timeline and Postseason Value
Hernández, now 34, spent most of 2025 playing through a torn muscle in his left arm. He needed surgery in November. The Dodgers haven’t put him on the 60-day injured list. Instead, they’re watching his swing as he works through rehab and are hoping he can come back around midseason. The one-year, $4.5 million contract keeps a trusted vet in the clubhouse while he recovers.
Regular season? He’s hit .236/.305/.403 over 4,152 plate appearances in 12 years. But in the postseason, Hernández has stepped up: .272/.339/.486 in 328 trips to the plate. That October track record matters, especially when the Dodgers need someone who can play all over the field and handle big moments. Management says they want to use his experience and flexibility as soon as he’s ready for full swings and defense again.
- Contract: 1 year, $4.5M
- Injury: Torn left (non-throwing) arm; surgery in November
- On-roster status: Not on 60-day IL; monitoring progression
- Postseason value: Strong track record (.272/.339/.486 in 328 PA)
Evan Phillips: Tommy John Recovery and the In-Season Role
Evan Phillips is another big question mark as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery in late May 2025. GM Brandon Gomes described his return as almost like getting a new player at the trade deadline. They’re hoping for a late July comeback. The Dodgers non-tendered him in November but brought him back on a one-year, $6.5 million deal. Realistically, he’ll probably pitch for about a third of the regular season while he rebuilds his arm and command.
Phillips has been lights-out: a 2.14 ERA over 184 2/3 innings from 2022–25, plus 45 saves as the Dodgers’ closer. The plan is to let him ease back into high-leverage spots instead of throwing him straight into the ninth inning. With Díaz now in the mix, the Dodgers have some breathing room and can play around with late-game matchups while Phillips gets back up to speed.
- Contract: 1 year, $6.5M
- Return window: Targeting late July
- Past production: 2.14 ERA, 184 2/3 IP, 45 saves (2022–25)
- Closing duties on return: Not expected to reclaim the ninth inning immediately
Edwin Díaz Signing: Record-Setting Deal and Market Talk
In December, the Dodgers landed Edwin Díaz on a three-year, $69 million contract. That’s an average annual value of $23 million, which sets a new record for a reliever.
This deal locks Díaz in as the Dodgers’ ninth-inning anchor for the next few years. It’s bound to shake up how they handle late-game situations and the way they build their bullpen.
Diaz had a strong offer from the Mets too—three years, $66 million. Mets owner Steve Cohen called the Dodgers’ signing “perplexing,” but Díaz pointed to LA’s aggressive recruiting and his respect for the Mets as reasons he ultimately chose the Dodgers.
- Deal: 3 years, $69M; $23M AAV (reliever record)
- Impact: Díaz as closer; major influence on late-inning strategy
- Market context: Mets offered $66M over 3 years; Cohen comment highlights Dodgers’ bid to win the deal
Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers Notes: Hernandez, Phillips, Diaz
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