The Los Angeles Dodgers had five arbitration-eligible player for the 2026 season who needed to be tender a contract at the 2 p.m. PT deadline on Friday, with Evan Phillips among them.
However, rather than take the step of keeping Phillips under contract for next year and potentially beyond, the Dodgers chose to non-tender the right-hander. That made Phillips a free agent while he navigates the recovery process from having Tommy John surgery this past June.
Although Phillips is now a free agent, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told Jack Harris of the L.A. Times that there is interest in re-signing the 31-year-old:
“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.”
Phillips joined the Dodgers organization in August 2021, when he was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays. He went on to become one of their top relief pitchers but had run into recent injury trouble.
A right shoulder issue prevented Phillips from pitching in the 2024 World Series. Further examination during the offseason revealed Phillips had sustained a minor tear in the back of the rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder.
Although he managed to avoid surgery, Phillips had a delayed start to the 2025 season. He then managed to pitch in just seven games before going back on the injured list due to right forearm discomfort that ultimately led to season-ending Tommy John surgery.
Phillips recently posted on social media that he started playing catch from flat ground for the first time since his operation in June.
Evan Phillips’ arbitration history
This offseason represented the fourth and final time Phillips was eligible for salary arbitration. He qualified as a Super Two player for the 2023 season, and earned $1.3 million that year.
It was followed by a $4 million salary in 2024 and Phillips signed for $6.1 million this season. MLB Trade Rumors projected Phillips to earn $6.1 million again in 2026.
Over parts of five seasons since joining the Dodgers, Phillips has gone 15-9 with 45 saves, a 2.22 ERA, 2.77 FIP and 0.94 WHIP in 201 games.
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