The Los Angeles Dodgers have absorbed yet another season-ending injury as manager Dave Roberts revealed Evan Phillips is undergoing Tommy john surgery.
Phillips’ procedure is going to be completed June 4 and keep him out until well into the 2026 season. The decision came after he didn’t respond well to playing catch while the Dodgers were on their road trip.
Phillips was put on the 15-day injured list with right forearm discomfort on May 7. Phillips and Roberts both downplayed the level of concern initially, but an MRI revealed inflammation in his throwing elbow and that prompted the Dodgers to shut down the right-hander.
Phillips then received a PRP injection as elbow pain persisted. The Dodgers transferred Phillips to the 60-day IL on Thursday in order to make room on their 40-man roster for the newly-acquired Alexis Díaz.
Roberts said the possibility of needing Tommy John surgery was under consideration prior to Phillips attempting to play catch for the first time since his injury. The team hoped rest and treatment would help keep the 30-year-old available for the rest of the season.
“It’s surprising. More disappointing for Evan. But he just wasn’t responding to the rest and try to ramp back up,” Roberts said. “So ultimately that was the advice and route he decided to go.”
Phillips began the year on the injured list because of right shoulder trouble that prevented him from pitching in the World Series. Further examination of Phillips’ shoulder injury during the offseason revealed he sustained a small tear in the back of the rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
While Phillips avoided surgery for the shoulder trouble, it impacted his progression in Spring Training and led to not being on the roster come Opening Day.
With the two injuries now factored in, Phillips pitched in just seven games this season. He didn’t allow a run over 5.2 innings and struck out six batters while walking two.
How Evan Phillips having Tommy John surgery impacts Dodgers
Now that Phillips is removed from the equation for 2025, it places greater emphasis on the Dodgers bullpen needing Michael Kopech, Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol.
Kopech could be back within the next week, but the team is otherwise lacking on right-handed options for high-leverage situations.
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