Dodgers re-sign reliever Evan Phillips, expect his return in July

A key piece of the Dodgers’ recent bullpens is returning to the team after all.

Right-hander Evan Phillips has agreed to a one-year contract that will pay him $6.5 million in 2026. Phillips underwent Tommy John surgery at the start of last June and is not expected back until midseason. He will start the season on the 60-day injured list (freeing up a roster spot for another player).

In order to clear a spot for Phillips at this time, however, the Dodgers designated catcher Ben Rortvedt for assignment for the second time this offseason. Rortvedt was signed to a one-year, $1.25 million contract in November, designated for assignment and claimed by the Cincinnati Reds on waivers.

But Rortvedt was DFA’d by the Reds last week and re-claimed on waivers by the Dodgers.

After bouncing from the Atlanta Braves to the Baltimore Orioles to the Tampa Bay Rays early in his career, Phillips was claimed on waivers by the Dodgers in 2021. He emerged as one of the more reliable relievers in the National League, posting a 2.22 ERA and collecting 45 saves for the Dodgers, including leading the team in 2023 (24 saves) and 2024 (18).

Phillips, 31, suffered a shoulder injury during the 2024 postseason and was unable to pitch in the World Series against the New York Yankees. His shoulder recovered in 2025, but he made just seven appearances (5⅔ innings) before undergoing Tommy John surgery.

He originally went on the injured list because of a rotator cuff strain in the middle of March, returned a month later and made his seven scoreless appearances, then went back on the IL on May 7 because of what the team called forearm discomfort.