rewrite this title Dodgers Key Reliever Expected to Open 2025 Season on Injured List

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed two of the top relievers on the free agent market this offseason in All-Stars Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates. At the time, it appeared the Dodgers had an embarrassment of riches. As spring training got underway this week, though, it became more of a need.

On Tuesday, right-handed reliever Evan Phillips told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register that he’s still recovering from the shoulder injury that kept him off the World Series roster.

Plunkett said Phillips “seems likely” to open the 2025 season on the injured list.

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“I did not bounce back well after Game 6 (of the NLCS). I could tell something wasn’t right,” Phillips said to Plunkett. “I felt better after a day’s rest. I took Monday off. Tuesday, I came in and felt confident about it. Played catch and it just didn’t go well.”

Phillips then underwent an MRI that showed a tear in his subscapularis, a tendon in the back of the shoulder.

Phillips’ injury didn’t allow him to have a normal offseason, as he didn’t pick up a baseball until Jan. 1. and is only throwing long toss this week. Plunkett called him a “long shot” to be ready for the Opening Series in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19.

“We’ll see how I progress, see how I bounce back,” Phillips said. “I think it’s going to be a fluid progression at this point, based on how I respond. Things have been good so far. I’m just hoping that trend continues. … I should be on a mound soon here. From there, chip away at it. Maybe get in some games and we’ll see where we’re at.”

Phillips had a bit of a down year last year, sporting a 3.62 ERA across 61 appearances. In 2023, he had a 2.05 ERA across 62 appearances. In 2022, he had a career-best 1.14 ERA over 64 appearances.

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Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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