The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a tough 4-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night after they blew a late lead, but there were still plenty of positives to take away from the game.
Shohei Ohtani hit his 300th career home run, Justin Wrobleski turned in another quality start and Evan Phillips made his first appearance in over a year after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The 31-year-old allowed one hit and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning, displaying excellent control of all his pitches.
“Really good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Phillips’ performance. “He was sharp. The command was great, 97 to 99 (mph), I think. The sweeper was sharp. Even to punch Moniak there with a backdoor sweeper was pretty impressive.
“Really happy for Evan. Frustrating as this loss is tonight, that’s really a silver lining. He had a long road with the Tommy John, so really happy for him.”
Phillips rejoined the Dodgers earlier this week after spending the maximum 30 days permitted while on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He checked off all the boxes and won’t be limited in any capacity at the Major League level.
“No. No restrictions outside of normal workload,” Roberts said. “He’s done a back-to-back, I think he’s done an up-down, but I probably won’t do that for a while, and then obviously within one inning, just kind of managing how many pitches he throws.”
Phillips’ return gives Roberts a trusted right-handed option out of a bullpen that remains without Ben Casparius, Edwin Díaz, Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen. While Roberts avoided using him in high leverage on Tuesday, Phillips figures to work his way back into those spots eventually.
Evan Phillips ‘excited’ to be back with Dodgers
Phillips detailed his long journey back to the mound and is grateful to be pitching again for the Dodgers.
“What’s strange is everyone saying congratulations, welcome back, but I guess I’ve just been so distracted and caught up in the work side of it, I don’t know if it’ll actually hit me, maybe hopefully not until I’m walking off the mound tonight, or whatever day it happens,” Phillips began.
“But trying not to let the emotions get in the way of it too much. Just excited to be working again. This is, of course, what I love to do. So, having that taken away for so long, I’m excited being able to do it again.”
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