Dodgers' Evan Phillips: Likely to miss most of 2026
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Sunday that he views Phillips (elbow) as the equivalent of a potential "deadline acquisition" for the 2026 season, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Phillips recently re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $6.5 million contract after his 2025 campaign was cut short by Tommy John surgery in June. According to David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports, Phillips is scheduled to throw off a mound Tuesday for the first time post-surgery, though he won't throw proper bullpen sessions for another month after that. A more definitive target date for the right-hander's 2026 debut won't be clear until he's further along in the rehab process, but Gomes' comments would seem to indicate that the Dodgers are expected to have Phillips make his debut at some point in July or August. Phillips had been one of the Dodgers' top late-inning options from 2022 through 2024, but coming off a major surgery, he'll likely have to prove himself in middle relief before regaining trust in higher-leverage spots.
