The Los Angeles Dodgers once again are dealing with another season marred by pitching injuries, with their bullpen significantly impacted.
Ben Casparius, Edwin Díaz, Jack Dreyer, Brusdar Graterol, Landon Knack, Evan Phillips and Brock Stewart are among those on some form of the injured list. Phillips began the year on the 60-day IL amid his ongoing recovery from having Tommy John surgery last season.
Evan Phillips progressing in rehab
Whereas there had been recent updates on Díaz and Tyler Glasnow, Phillips was largely completing his rehab process in the background. That changed in some regard on Tuesday when he pitched to batters at Dodger Stadium.
It was Phillips’ third time throwing live batting practice since May 19. He threw a total of 23 pitches and came away encouraged by the session.
“It was good,” Phillips said. “Just happy to be making progress and feeling good for the most part. Threw 23 pitches, felt good from front to back, happy with how my body is feeling. Still a lot to do ahead of me so I’ll worry about refining and all that kind of stuff as we go.
“Just happy to be back out there. Definitely took a moment on the rubber to enjoy being back at Dodger Stadium again. It felt good.”
As Phillips continues to navigate the long road back, he’s focused on the recovery after pitching and command.
“Just making sure I’m bouncing back well, so really taking care of my body afterwards and doing everything I can to feel good the next day and be prepared for my next live BP or whatever it is,” he said. “And overall, I just want to feel good going down the mound. My body feels like it’s in a good spot, the pitches coming out feel like they’re in a good spot.
“We’ll refine everything else as we go.”
Next for the right-hander is facing batters in Arizona on Friday and again at Chase Field when the Dodgers begin their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. From there, he would report to Triple-A Oklahoma City for the start of a rehab assignment.
Whenever Phillips begins his rehab assignment, MLB rules allow for a pitcher to remain on one for a maximum of 30 days. The Dodgers will certainly prioritize health and a prudent process, but the state of their bullpen theoretically could determine of Phillips’ rehab assignment is perhaps closer to 20 days as opposed to the full period allotted.
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