Evan Phillips Expected Back In ‘Week To 10 Days’

Evan Phillips has not played in a game since May 3 for the Los Angeles Dodgers after he was placed on the 15-day injured list with a hamstring injury.

At the time, manager Dave Roberts said they were hopeful Phillips would return after a short IL stint, but that has not proven to be the case. The injury has left him sidelined for nearly three weeks, and it may end up being four or more weeks from the injury until he is able to return.

“Evan is doing really well,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “We’re trying to make sure we take it slow. But in the next, call it week to 10 days, I can see him being back with us. But he is going to do a two- to three-game rehab assignment.”

His two- to three-game rehab assignment is likely to be with Triple-A Oklahoma City, but could also be with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga if the Dodgers choose to keep Phillips local. And if Roberts is right about Phillips returning within seven to 10 days, that would bring him back sometime between Monday, May 27 in New York against the Mets and at home against the Colorado Rockies on Friday, May 31.

The Dodgers have managed well without Phillips as they are still one of the best pitching staffs in baseball over the last 15 days. However, their lone blown save of the season came in the last 15 days as well.

Prior to the injury, Phillips was putting together another electric season at the back of the Dodgers bullpen.

He entered the season as the full-time closer, and had already recorded eight saves in eight opportunities over 14 appearances. He collected a 0.66 ERA and a 1.024 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and four walks.

Dodgers’ Joe Kelly throwing for first time since injury

The Dodgers are hoping to get another reliever back soon in Joe Kelly, who went down on May 6 with shoulder issues. There had been no update over the last 15 days until Monday. Kelly had begun his first day of throwing since he has been on the injured list.

“Joe is actually playing catch today,” Roberts said before the game. “So he should be out there as we speak, throwing a baseball,” Roberts said.

The next steps for Kelly are still to be determined, but beginning to throw is a notable development after being shut down.