Though there was a brief detour through free agency this offseason, Evan Phillips is back with the Dodgers for a sixth season. The veteran right-hander re-signed with Los Angeles on Wednesday on a one-year, $6.5 million contract, the team announced.
Phillips is recovering from Tommy John surgery last June 4, which is expected to sideline him until after the All-Star break in 2026. He was non-tendered by the Dodgers on November 21, making Phillips a free agent, rather than go through the salary arbitration process one more time. After earning $6.1 million in 2025, Phillips was projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn the $6.1 million next season through arbitration, while Cot’s Baseball Contracts predicted the same $6.1 million salary.
After beginning the 2025 season on the injured list with a right rotator cuff strain stemming from the 2024 postseason, Phillips pitched in only seven games last season, with six strikeouts and two walks in 5 2/3 scoreless innings in April and May.
After getting non-tendered, the Dodgers expressed interest in bringing Phillips back, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times:
“We had a number of back and forth discussions with Evan and his agent,” Friedman said via text. “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.”
Since joining the Dodgers on a waiver claim from the Rays in 2021, Phillips has been one of the best relievers in baseball, with a 2.22 ERA and 2.87 xERA in 201 games, with 221 strikeouts and 52 walks in 195 innings, and 45 saves. The right-hander is 31 years old.
To make room on the 40-man roster, catcher Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment. Rortvedt was just re-claimed off waivers on Friday from the Reds, after the Dodgers lost him on waivers in November. This move was expected at some point, considering Rortvedt is out of options and behind Will Smith and Dalton Rushing on the depth chart. Rortvedt didn’t get through waivers the last time the Dodgers tried this in November, but if he clears waivers this time they can keep Rortvedt around for depth, but just off the 40-man roster.
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