A seemingly harmless pitch in the bullpen on May 27 turned into a nightmare. Evan Phillips, the mainstay of the Dodgers’ bullpen, has officially entered the “dark zone” of his career when he was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right elbow – forcing Tommy John surgery. The 2025 season is over just as it began for him.
“I knew, as soon as I felt it… my heart dropped,” Phillips shared. “I can’t hide the disappointment. But if fate has chosen me for this challenge, I’m going to fight until the end.”
Evan Phillips is more than just a pitcher. He is a symbol of resurrection. From a pitcher who was cut from the Baltimore roster, Phillips has revived his career with the Dodgers, becoming the most reliable “fireman” in the bullpen.
In the 2024 season, he held an ERA of just 1.85, owning a strikeout rate of over 36%. But then, when the Dodgers needed him most—a late-game lockout—the injury took its toll.
As his teammates prepared to enter the crucial series, Phillips faced a busy schedule of physical therapy appointments, pain medication, and light workouts at the rehab center.
“I miss the noise in the stands. I miss the adrenaline rushing through my arms after every pitch,” he said. “But what I miss most is the trust in my teammates’ eyes. I don’t want to be away from that any longer.”
In the quiet days, Phillips has devoted all his time to his young son—who still doesn’t understand why his father is no longer on TV every night.
“I was his hero,” he said with a chuckle. “Now I want to do it again—not just for him, but for myself.”
If Phillips recovers on schedule, he could return in the second half of the 2026 season. But the road is not a smooth one. The Dodgers know they will need to change their bullpen structure, but there will always be room in the hearts of the organization — and the fans — for a warrior named Evan.
“I don’t know how long it will take. But I promise… I will be back with a ball in my hands, like the first day I dreamed of being a pitcher.”