The offseason began with the Los Angeles Dodgers having nine players who were in line to be eligible for arbitration for 2026.

However, that began to change with roster decisions involving Tony Gonsolin, Michael Grove and Ben Rortvedt. Gonsolin was designated for assignment and later elected free agency upon clearing waivers. Grove also chose to become a free agent rather than accept a Minor League assignment.

Rortvedt was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds, in a move that came despite no previous announcement the backstop had been waived or DFA’d by the Dodgers. It also was revealed after the fact that Rortvedt and the Dodgers agreed to a $1.25 million contract for 2026, seemingly in effort to thwart a waiver claim.

Then as the 2 p.m. PT deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players arrived, the Dodgers non-tendered Evan Phillips. They also chose to do so with Nick Frasso, despite the former heralded prospect not yet being eligible for arbitration.

Frasso and Phillips immediately became free agents as a result of the Dodgers’ non-tender decisions.

Dodgers non-tenders

Nick Frasso

Frasso went 6-1 with a 5.49 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in 43 games (seven starts) for Triple-A Oklahoma City this past season. His last appearance came on Sept. 19 as Frasso wound up going on the Minor League injured list.

The Dodgers later transferred him to the 60-day IL in order to make room on their 40-man roster for Andrew Heaney.

Frasso initially joined the Dodgers’ 40-man roster in November 2023 in order to protect him from possibly being selected in the Rule 5 Draft that offseason. The Dodgers also added Hunter Feduccia and Landon Knack at the time. Now only Knack remains on their 40-man.

Frasso missed the entire 2024 season because of undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Though not disclosed at the time, Frasso’s shoulder surgery was before the Rule 5 deadline.

He revealed the procedure during an appearance at DodgerFest in February 2024. There was the possibility of returning late that year, but Frasso required a cleanup procedure on the labrum in his right hip in March 2024 and he spent the entire season rehabbing.

MLB Pipeline ranked Frasso the No. 80 overall prospect for the 2024 season.

Frasso was acquired by the Dodgers in an August 2022 trade that sent Mitch White and Alex De Jesus to the Toronto Blue Jays. The Dodgers also received Moises Brito as part of the trade.

Frasso has yet to make his MLB debut or even join the active roster, but he has just two Minor League option years remaining due to using one in 2024.

After pitching in two Cactus League games this year, Frasso was included on the Dodgers’ travel roster for Japan. He did not appear in either of their two exhibition games.

Evan Phillips

Phillips was among multiple Dodgers relief pitchers limited by injuries this year. He had a delayed start to the 2025 season because of right shoulder trouble that prevented him from pitching in the World Series against the New York Yankees.

Further examination of Phillips’ injury last offseason revealed he sustained a small tear in the back of the rotator cuff in his right shoulder.

Phillips managed to make a recovery from that, but pitched in just seven games upon coming off the injured list. He underwent Tommy John surgery and isn’t expected to return until the second half of 2026.

MLB Trade Rumors projected Phillips to receive a $6.1 million salary for next season.