LOS ANGELES – Days before pitchers and catchers are set to report to Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers made another move.
Relax, baseball world — this one isn’t the kind that sets off alarm bells across the sport.
The Dodgers announced Wednesday that they have re-signed right-hander Evan Phillips to a one-year, $6.5 million contract, bringing back one of the most trusted arms of their recent October runs. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, catcher Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment — again — in what has become a familiar bit of roster maneuvering.
After being non-tendered earlier this offseason — a procedural move that allowed both sides roster flexibility — the expectation around the club was that the 31-year-old would ultimately re-sign. That became official on Wednesday, ensuring Phillips will enter his sixth season in Dodger blue.
Phillips underwent Tommy John surgery in May and will not be available to begin the season. The expectation is that he returns at some point later in 2026, with the club likely to transfer him to the 60-day injured list once camp opens.
This move could help the Dodgers make more moves. It would free up another 40-man roster spot as the Dodgers continue to juggle a deep roster.
Before the injury cut short his 2025 season, Phillips appeared in seven games, throwing 5⅔ scoreless innings. It was a small sample size, but it served as a reminder of the steady, unflappable presence he has been at the back end of the Dodgers’ bullpen.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Evan Phillips (59) reacts after being relieved in the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres during game five of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium.
Since arriving in 2021, Phillips has evolved from waiver claim to high-leverage staple. His power cutter, command and postseason poise made him one of Dave Roberts’ most trusted options in October. Phillips has made 12 playoffs appearances for the Dodgers with a 3-0 record, not allowing a single run and collecting 21 strikeouts, the resume of a two-time World Series champion and one of the most reliable relievers of this Dodgers era.
The timeline is clear. Phillips is not expected back until later in the 2026 season. The Dodgers, as they often do, are playing the long game.
They don’t need him in April. They may need him in September. And they could certainly need him in October.
For a team with championship expectations — and, yes, legitimate three-peat aspirations — the bullpen is never just about the first half. It’s about having waves. It’s about reinforcements. It’s about options when the games tighten and the margin for error disappears.
If Phillips returns resembling his pre-surgery form, this deal could look like one of the savvier depth bets of the winter. A $6.5 million investment in upside, familiarity, and postseason experience.
It won’t dominate headlines. It won’t “ruin baseball.”
But for a clubhouse preparing to reconvene in Arizona, it’s a meaningful addition — even if it’s one that won’t take the mound for months.
The Dodgers are betting that when the time comes, Phillips will once again be jogging in from the bullpen with the game on the line.
And if that happens, this quiet February move may echo loudly in the fall.