The Los Angeles Dodgers, a team that has been at or near the top of the MLB payroll charts every year of the 21st century, do not seem like an organization that spends much time on low-cost reclamation players. But in August 2021, they became just that, claiming right-handed reliever Evan Phillips off the waiver wire after he was released by the Tampa Bay Rays.
The very next year, the Dodgers inserted Phillips into their bullpen where he pitched 63 innings over 64 games, compiling an eye-opening 1.14 ERA and striking out 77 against only 15 walks. In 2023, the Dodgers appointed Phillips to fill their closer’s role, and he did so in stellar fashion, racking up 24 saves with a 2.04 ERA.
Just two years and one Tommy John surgery later, Phillips’ days as a Dodger look to be over. Friday is the deadline for clubs to inform arbitration-eligible players whether they will receive a contract offer or not. According to Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com, in a report published Thursday, the Dodgers will not offer Phillips a new contract.
The process, called a non-tender, means that Phillips, who is still recovering from the Tommy John elbow procedure he underwent in April, will immediately become a free agent.
“After a partially torn rotator cuff stalled Phillips’ scoreless 2024 playoff run and forced him to miss the World Series, the righty dealt with further injury issues in ’25,” recounted Harrigan. “He underwent Tommy John surgery in May and will miss the start of 2026. Still, we can’t forget how effective he was for the Dodgers across 2022-24, recording a 2.21 ERA with a 10.4 K/9, a 2.3 BB/9 and 44 saves.”
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In total, Phillips racked up 46 saves in 54 opportunities as a Dodger before his elbow injury ended his season after only seven games this year, and will likely cause him to miss at the initial stages of next season as well.
“Phillips is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season, and with the Dodgers having a luxury of arms coming back next season, the team could move on from Phillips as he recovers from surgery,” wrote Katrina Stebbins of Dodgers Way on Thursday.
Phillips earned $6.1 million this year and is predicted by Spotrac to get the same as an arbitration award for next season. The Dodgers may decide that paying more than $6 million for a pitcher who will not be ready opening day is just too much even for one of baseball’s biggest-spending franchises.
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