The Los Angeles Dodgers transferred Evan Phillips to the 60-day injured list, opening a spot on the 40-man roster to make the signing of Kiké Hernández official.
This was an expected move as Phillips is recovering from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in late May. The recovery time is typically around 12-18 months, and the hope is that the right-hander will return in July.
Phillips was non-tendered earlier in the offseason to make him a free agent, but re-signed with the Dodgers this week on a one-year contract worth $6.5 million.
The 60-day IL is only available for use once Spring Training begins and through the postseason, so the move to non-tender Phillips was mostly about making extra space on the 40-man roster during the offseason.
Phillips made seven appearances in 2025, striking out six batters in 5.2 innings without allowing a run before being shut down.
The 31-year-old joined the Dodgers in 2021 via waiver claim from Tampa Bay and starred in the bullpen, going 15-9 with a 2.22 ERA in 201 games. He has posted a microscopic 0.94 WHIP while striking out 221 batters in 195 innings for the Dodgers.
Phillips has been in the Majors eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves (2018), Baltimore Orioles (2018-20), Tampa Bay Rays (2021) and Dodgers (2021-), posting a 16-12 record with 46 saves and a 3.36 ERA in 252 innings.
Dodgers re-sign Kiké Hernández
The Dodgers and Hernández agreed to a new one-year contract worth $4.5 million for the 2026 season, which became official as the Dodgers opened the roster space to sign him.
Hernández is coming off a difficult 2025 season that saw him hit just .203/.255/.366 with eight doubles, 10 home runs and 35 RBI in 92 games.
He is coming off left elbow surgery and will miss the start of the season, and it’s possible the Dodgers could also place him on the 60-day IL to improve their depth in the early part of the year.
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