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The Los Angeles Dodgers made a shocking move at the beginning of this offseason, deciding to non-tender veteran reliever Evan Phillips.
Phillips had been with the Dodgers for five seasons, posting a 2.22 ERA through 201 appearances with LA. He underwent Tommy John surgery during the 2025 season, and is likely to miss the most of the 2026 season.
The Dodgers have shown interest in bringing Phillips back to Los Angeles, but the Boston Red Sox are also in for the reliever, per The Boston Globe’s Tim Healey.
“The Red Sox inquired with free agent reliever Evan Phillips, who had Tommy John surgery in June,” Healey wrote. “Phillips, non-tendered by the Dodgers, is delaying signing a new contract until January (when he starts throwing off the mound) or even July-ish (when he is expected to return to game action). He is seeking a one-year contract so that he can reestablish himself as healthy and effective, and take a bigger swing in free agency next offseason.”
The Dodgers claimed Phillips off waivers in 2021, and he has been a staple of LA’s bullpen since. He had a 1.14 ERA through 64 appearances in his first full season with the Dodgers, then followed that up with a 2.05 ERA season through 62 appearances.
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He had a less effective season in 2024, though still managed to pitch above league average with a 3.62 ERA and 110 ERA+.
Before landing on the injured list in 2025, Phillips hadn’t allowed a run through seven appearances. He logged 45 saves during his time with the Dodgers.
LA is still interested in Phillips’ signature, and have been active in regard to the reliever despite non-tendering him earlier in the offseason.
“Another reliever on the Dodgers’ radar, per a source: Evan Phillips, who the Dodgers elected to non-tender last month rather than pay him a projected $6.1 million in his final season of arbitration,” The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya and Katie Woo wrote.
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The Dodgers will hope they can retain Phillips despite his severance from the team earlier in the offseason to further strengthen a bullpen which has already received a huge boost with All-Star reliever Edwin Diaz.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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