The right-handed reliever underwent Tommy John surgery in June and is expected to miss most (or all) of the 2026 season.
Despite not tendering him, the Dodgers remain interested in bringing him back. However, they won’t be alone in their pursuit.
Read more: Dodgers are interested in bringing back Evan Phillips after non-tender, says Andrew Friedman
According to The Athleticsthe Chicago Cubs are another team that could show interest in Phillips in free agency.
“Evan Phillips, for example, became a free agent when the Los Angeles Dodgers declined to tender him a contract through the arbitration system. The right-handed reliever is recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in June, a timeline that could see him return to action around the time playoff contenders look for bullpen help at the trade deadline,” Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney wrote.
“While he is far from the only reliever on Chicago’s radar, Phillips profiles as the type of pitcher the Cubs have successfully identified and incorporated into the bullpen. Among pitchers, Cubs manager Craig Counsell has an excellent reputation for putting their health at the forefront of his decisions.”
Phillips has developed into one of the best relievers in the game since joining the Dodgers midway through the 2021 season.
In 201 appearances, Phillips has compiled a 2.22 ERA with 221 strikeouts and 45 saves in 195 innings. He had an ERA of 1.14 over 64 appearances in 2022 and a 2.05 ERA over 62 appearances in 2023.
In 2025, Phillips made just seven appearances, not allowing a run over 5.2 innings before undergoing Tommy John surgery. There’s a chance he returns late in the 2026 season, which could make him an attractive free agent option as he enters his age-32 season.
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Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told the LA Times that the team remains interested in bringing him back despite the decision not to tender him.
“We had a number of back and forth conversations with Evan and his agent,” Friedman said. “It’s a challenge as he comes out of surgery, so he will need some time to draw after being thrown off the mound, when his rehabilitation allows. Evan has been a big part of our past success and we will continue the conversation about bringing him back. We respect him taking this time to decide what is best for him and his family.”
However, the Dodgers won’t be alone in their pursuit of one of the game’s most underrated relievers.
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn images
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