Dodgers Bullpen Boost Incoming? Evan Phillips Nears Comeback
Get ready, Dodger fans—there’s finally a glimmer of hope on the horizon for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen. After a long layoff following Tommy John surgery, right-handed reliever Evan Phillips is set to kick off his rehab assignment this Thursday.
This moment feels huge, not just for Phillips, but for a Dodgers team desperate to stabilize its pitching staff before the season’s home stretch. His return might be the jolt of stability and high-leverage relief they’ve been craving.
Evan Phillips: A Year in the Making
Phillips’ journey back has been a grind and, honestly, a reminder of how fast injuries can upend even the brightest careers. It’s been a year since that Tommy John surgery, which, as most baseball fans know, demands a long and sometimes frustrating recovery.
For Phillips, this isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s the one-year mark since he got sidelined and missed out on some huge postseason moments.
The Road to Recovery: From Injury to Rehab
The road to this rehab assignment hasn’t been smooth for Phillips. His health struggles date back to late 2024, starting with an elbow injury that knocked him off the World Series roster against the Yankees.
He also missed a big chunk of last year’s spring training. Phillips tried to come back without surgery, but that didn’t work, and eventually, he had to get Tommy John.
The Dodgers’ faith in him showed through their contract moves. They non-tendered him at the end of 2025. But then, seeing his upside, they brought him back on a restructured deal, fully aware he’d miss a big part of the season. That says a lot about how much they believe in what he can bring once he’s healthy.
When Healthy, Phillips Delivers
We’ve all seen flashes of what Phillips can do when he’s on. He’s got a strikeout rate north of 11 per nine innings, which is just nasty.
His fastball and sweeper combo? It’s tough to hit, and it racks up whiffs. Those pitches put him in high-leverage roles, and at one point, he even locked down the closer’s job.
In that spot, he posted a ridiculous 1.30 ERA. If he can get anywhere close to that form again, he could be a massive boost for the Dodgers as they try to power through the final stretch.
The Bullpen Landscape: Facing Uncertainty
The Dodgers’ bullpen is under the microscope right now, and not without reason. Phillips’ impending return feels like a rare bright spot in a sea of question marks.
Brusdar Graterol’s status? Still a mystery. He’s stuck on the sidelines after major shoulder surgery.
Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he needed back surgery too. That setback really throws his availability for the entire 2026 season into doubt.
Graterol’s slow recovery makes Phillips’ rehab even more important. If Phillips can handle those high-pressure moments again, maybe he can help fill the gap Graterol leaves behind.
The bullpen could use any extra depth and reliability it can get. Fans are bound to follow Phillips’ progress in Oklahoma City, fingers crossed for a smooth comeback.
Here is the source article for this story: Former Dodgers Closer To Begin Rehab Assignment
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