The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Matt Sauer from Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed Evan Phillips on the 15-day injured list with right forearm discomfort.
The move was not announced until the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. It was also the second transaction the Dodgers made in the day with J.P. Feyereisen being optioned for Landon Knack.
Phillips is on the IL for the second time this season after missing 21 games. He began the season on the injured list due to a right rotator cuff strain, which limited his throwing program during the offseason.
Phillips suffered a partial tear in the back of his right rotator cuff during the 2024 postseason and was forced to miss the World Series. The full extent of Phillips’ injury not discovered until an MRI in December, but he was able to avoid surgery.
Phillips recovered from that ahead of schedule and went on to make seven appearances this year, tossing 5.2 innings and striking out six without allowing a run.
A forearm injury is particularly concerning as they are often a precursor to Tommy John surgery. However, that is not always the case, and Phillips will likely undergo additional testing to determine the full extent of his injury, if he has not already.
The right-hander is in his fifth season with the Dodgers, posting a 2.22 ERA in 201 games.
Matt Sauer returns to Dodgers roster
Sauer is back with the Dodgers for his third stint with the team after going he 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 6.2 innings this season. Sauer first made the roster for the Tokyo Series to begin the season and got another chance with the club when they needed a bulk pitcher in late April.
He impressed in that start as the right-hander allowed just one run on five hits and collected four strikeouts en route to his first Major League win. He also earned praise from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts for helping save the bullpen.
Last season, he made his Major League debut in 2024 as a member of the Kansas City Royals and went 0-0 with a 7.71 ERA in 14 games.
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