Evan Phillips Shut Down From Throwing

Evan Phillips became the latest member of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching staff to go down with injury as he’s dealing with right forearm inflammation.

Phillips was put on the 15-day injured list but downplayed the severity of the injury, and the Dodgers initially expected him to be back on the active roster as soon as he was eligible on May 22.

That no longer seems to be the case, as an MRI Phillips underwent on Friday revealed inflammation in his elbow. The injury is going to add weeks to Phillips timeline as he’ll need to stop throwing for the time being, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:

It was unclear at first if Phillips would even undergo an MRI. He did and it revealed inflammation in his elbow but no structural “incidents,” Roberts said Friday. But the Dodgers will handle Phillips cautiously and he won’t pick up a baseball for “a couple weeks.” At that point, he will begin a throwing program to get back on the active roster.

“It’s inflammation in his elbow so it’s just going to take some time,” Roberts said. “We’re going to take some time with Evan because as we said from the outset he’s so valuable going forward we have to be mindful and cautious with the buildup.”

Phillips began the 2025 season on the IL because of a right shoulder issue the Dodgers classified as a rotator cuff strain.

Phillips revealed during Spring Training that he suffered a partial tear in the back of his right rotator cuff during the 2024 postseason, which was revealed by an MRI he had in the offseason.

He made his first appearance of the season on April 19 against the Texas Rangers, and had pitched in seven games to the tune of 5.2 scoreless innings. He also recorded two holds and a save as a welcomed fresh arm for a Dodgers bullpen that has been put through the wringer this season.

Michael Kopech beginning his rehab assignment does offer the Dodgers some light at the end of the tunnel, but he represents the extent of their internal options for immediate bullpen help.

Matt Sauer recalled to replace Evan Phillips

Matt Sauer is back with the Dodgers for his third stint with the team as a much-need bulk innings option out of the bullpen. Sauer has an impressive 1.69 ERA in 10.2 innings pitched this season, but his ability to cover a large amount of innings when called upon has been his most valuable contribution.

Nine of his innings this season have come in two blowout wins against the Miami Marlins, with Sauer picking up a four-inning save in his most recent outing.

Sauer made his Major League debut in 2024 as a member of the Kansas City Royals and went 0-0 with a 7.71 ERA in 14 games.