Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips returned from long-term injury just before the All-Star Break, and is struggling to refamiliarize himself to MLB hitting.
Phillips made his return to the Dodgers from Tommy John surgery July 6, and has pitched in four games since. The first of those four went well, as he threw a scoreless innings against the Colorado Rockies with two strikeouts, but he has allowed a run in each of his three appearances since.
In the Dodgers’ second game on Sunday, Phillips allowed a go-ahead home run to Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the bottom of the eighth, ultimately making the difference in the game. Phillips believes the cause of his rough stretch is the extended period of time he spent away from MLB.
“I think I just went to a pitch where I had less room for error,” Phillips said. “I’m trying to throw a strike in that situation, get back in the count. Jazz likes the ball, middle-down, down and in, and I was trying to go away, obviously. But it just crept back to the middle of the plate, somewhere he can handle it and put a good swing on it.
“I think I’m still just getting used to pitching in games again. … Rehab mindset is just to go out there and physically feel good. I tried to rewire that a little bit my final few games on my rehab stint, but you just can’t simulate the major-league environment, a major-league competition.”
How Long Had Evan Phillips Been Out?
Phillips underwent Tommy John surgery early in the 2025 season, and missed more than a year while recovering. He didn’t have many struggles prior to his surgery, keeping opponents from scoring entirely through seven appearances last year.
The Dodgers non-tendered him at the beginning of last year’s offseason, but grabbed him back up just before spring training began.
LA will hope Phillips can adjust to MLB hitting soon, as he has been a force in the bullpen since joining the Dodgers in 2022. During his first four seasons as a Dodger from 2022-25, Phillips posted a 2.22 ERA through 201 appearances and regularly featured in high-leverage situations.
His reemergence would be huge for the Dodgers’ bullpen, which has struggled too stay healthy throughout the season so far.
Do you still believe in Evan Phillips?
One Response
I’m not worried I have faith in EP