Dodgers get 'pen reinforcements as Phillips returns from Tommy John

LOS ANGELES -- Evan Phillips has had plenty of opportunity to familiarize himself with Oklahoma City over the past year and a half. Since the beginning of 2025, the righty reliever has pitched more innings for the Triple-A affiliate of the Dodgers (15 2/3) than the big league club (5 2/3).

In the 13 months since undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2025, Phillips has worked tirelessly to get back to the Dodger Stadium mound, and his return could be as soon as Monday night after he was activated from the 60-day injured list ahead of Monday's series opener against the Rockies.

Even then, the emotions of being back in the Dodgers' bullpen had not yet set in for Phillips.

"What's strange is everyone saying, ‘Congratulations, welcome back,'" Phillips said. "But I guess I've just been so distracted and caught up in the work side of it, I don't know if it'll actually hit me -- maybe, hopefully, not until I'm even walking off the mound tonight, or whatever day it happens.

"But try not to let the emotions get in the way a bit too much," Phillips added. Just excited to be working again. I told you guys before, this is what I love to do. So having that taken away for so long, I’m just excited, being able to do it again."

To clear spots on the active and 40-man rosters for Phillips, right-hander Paul Gervase was optioned to Oklahoma City and lefty Jake Eder was released. In separate moves Monday, righty Carlos Duran was added to the 40-man roster (but will stay with Oklahoma City) and catcher Chuckie Robinson accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A after being designated for assignment.

Phillips' return gives the Dodgers another bullpen arm capable of closing out games, as he's converted 45 saves in his five seasons in L.A. While he will likely be eased back into action at first, Phillips will bring some experience to a relatively unproven group of righty leverage arms in the Dodgers' bullpen.

With closer Edwin Díaz (surgery to remove right elbow loose bodies) and Blake Treinen (right elbow inflammation) on the IL, the Dodgers have had to lean on less experienced right-handers such as Edgardo Henriquez, Will Klein and Kyle Hurt. That trio has impressed, but getting back veterans in Brock Stewart and Phillips is big for a bullpen that has already performed well this season, entering Monday with a 3.77 ERA that ranked 10th in the Majors.

"It just allows for us to distribute the workload better, more evenly," manager Dave Roberts said. "Nothing against some other guys that are there for low leverage, where now it's just the floor is raised with a lot of guys who you trust."

The Dodgers' bullpen is also set to get Díaz back not long after the All-Star break.

Phillips spent the maximum 30 days on his rehab assignment with Oklahoma City, which was expected given that he had not pitched much over the past couple years. The 31-year-old right-hander posted a 1.80 ERA across 12 appearances and struck out 13 batters against five walks in 10 innings.

His arm may be sufficiently built up, but there's no substitute for pitching to Major League hitters in a big league game. Phillips is looking forward to checking that one final box on the road back from Tommy John surgery.

"No matter how hard you try, you can't simulate the mental capacity this takes, the schedule, the workload, competition's way different," Phillips said. "There's nothing else left for me to do but jump right back into it."