Dodgers Could Have 2 Key Relievers Open Season on Injured List
The Los Angeles Dodgers could open the 2025 season with two of their best relievers on the injured list.
Right-handed pitchers Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech are both behind schedule on their injury recoveries, manager Dave Roberts told reporters Wednesday morning.
Despite an offseason that saw a massive upgrade to the pitching roster, this would be a big blow for a team that is trying to become the repeat champions of the baseball world for the first time in a quarter century.
Without a clear everyday closer, Phillips was the most consistent arm closing out games last season.
Phillips led the Dodgers in regular season saves with 18, and in five appearances in October, Phillips delivered 6.2 scoreless innings before suffering a tear in his shoulder during the NLCS. This is unfamiliar territory for the 30-year-old reliever as he told the Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett.
“I’ve never been in this situation coming into a season. I’ve never been ‘off track’ for lack of a better term,” Phillips said. “I was eager to start throwing in December when I thought I felt well enough to start throwing. But got push back from the team to hold off another month just to be patient with it.”
Kopech, on the other hand, was another key cog in the bullpen for the world champions.
Third on the team in regular season saves, Kopech made 24 appearances with the Dodgers and had an ERA of just 1.13 after being acquired from the Chicago White Sox ahead of the trade deadline.
He continued to step up for Los Angeles in the World Series, allowing only three hits in his four appearances. However, he dealt with forearm discomfort, and reportedly is still working his way back.
The offseason moves of closers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates are proving to be that much more valuable ahead of this grim news, but other guys in the bullpen will have to step up as they await the return of two of their most productive bullpen arms.
Phillips is hopeful that he will progress as he is trending upwards and looks to rejoin the team after the season gets underway.
“We’ll see how I progress, see how I bounce back,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a fluid progression at this point, based on how I respond. Things have been good so far. I’m just hoping that trend continues.”
Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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