Phillips strikes out side during rehab outing as return nears
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Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips is nearing the end of his rehab assignment, and he seems to be heating up at the right time.
Phillips dominated in a scoreless top of the ninth inning on Wednesday for Triple-A Oklahoma City against Sugar Land, the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate. The right-hander struck out all three batters he faced, punching out Astros No. 9 prospect Zach Cole looking and fanning Edwin Díaz (no relation to the Dodgers’ injured closer) and Braden Shewmake swinging.
Rehabbing from Tommy John surgery in June 2025, Phillips reached 98 mph against the Space Cowboys, averaging 96.6 mph on his four-seam fastball and 97.5 on his sinker. The velocity was encouraging: He averaged just 95.4 mph on both pitches in his seven MLB appearances last season, all of which were scoreless.
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Phillips has a 2.00 ERA in 11 rehab appearances for Oklahoma City, the first of which came June 4. With his 30-day rehab clock winding down, he could be activated soon by the Dodgers -- potentially during their upcoming homestand, which begins Thursday against the Padres.