The Los Angeles Dodgers chose to not tender a contract to right-handed pitcher Evan Phillips last week, making him a free agent.
The right-handed reliever underwent Tommy John surgery in June, and is expected to miss a majority (or all) of the 2026 season.
Despite non-tendering him, the Dodgers remain interested in bringing him back. However, they won’t be alone in their pursuit.
Read more: Dodgers Interested in Bringing Back Evan Phillips After Non-Tender, Says Andrew Friedman
According to The Athletic, the Chicago Cubs are another team who could show interest in Phillips in free agency.
“Evan Phillips, for example, became a free agent when the Los Angeles Dodgers declined to offer him a contract through the arbitration system. The right-handed reliever is recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in June, a timeline that could put him back in action around the time that playoff contenders are searching for bullpen help at the trade deadline,” Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney wrote.
“While far from the only reliever on Chicago’s radar, Phillips profiles as the type of pitcher the Cubs have successfully identified and incorporated into the bullpen. Among pitchers, Cubs manager Craig Counsell has an excellent reputation for keeping their health at the forefront of his decisions.”
Phillips has developed into one of the game’s best relievers since joining the Dodgers midway through the 2021 season.
Across 201 appearances, Phillips has accrued a 2.22 ERA with 221 strikeouts and 45 saves across 195 innings. He had a 1.14 ERA across 64 appearances in 2022 and a 2.05 ERA over 62 appearances in 2023.
In 2025, Phillips made just seven appearances, not allowing a run across 5.2 innings before undergoing Tommy John surgery. There’s a chance he returns late in the 2026 season, which could make him an attractive free agent option as he enters his age-32 season.
More news: Dodgers Exec Raves About Outfielder Acquired in Gavin Lux Trade
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told the LA Times the team remains interested in bringing him back despite the decision to non-tender him.
“We had a number of back and forth discussions with Evan and his agent,” Friedman said. “It is challenging with him coming off surgery so he is going to take some time and look to sign after he throws off the mound when his rehab allows. Evan has been a big part of our past success and we will continue the conversation about bringing him back. We respect that he is taking this time to decide what is best for him and his family.”
The Dodgers, however, won’t be alone in their pursuit of one of the game’s most underrated relievers.
Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Have you downloaded the new Dodgers Nation app yet? Click here for Apple Users and here for Android Users to be a part of the redesigned app to give fans everything they need, all in one place. Don’t miss out on live GameCast with play-by-play, news and analysis, Dodgers Nation podcasts and videos, all the stats you want and more!
