Dodgers News: Shohei Ohtani history, Evan Phillips concerns, Freddie Freeman donation

Fresh off a 54-homer season in 2024, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani became the first MLB player to reach 20 home runs in 2025 with a two-run blast Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians.

Naturally, as he is wont to do, Ohtani made a little history in the process. By reaching the 20-homer benchmark in the Dodgers' 55th game of the season, Ohtani became the third player in Dodgers history to reach 20 homers in the team’s first 55 games, joining Gil Hodges (21 in 1951) and Cody Bellinger (20 in 2019).

Ohtani, a three-time MVP whose 20 homers lead all hitters in baseball right now, took Tanner Bibee deep in the fourth inning of the Dodgers' 9-5 win. It wasn't the prettiest home run – neither Ohtani nor Bibee thought it was gone immediately off the bat – but it was enough to clear the fence for the 30-year-old's third homer in as many games.

Prior to Tuesday night, the fastest Ohtani had reached 20 home runs in a season was 70 games into the 2021 campaign with the Los Angeles Angels. With 12 homers in the month of May, he is now just three shy of tying his career high in a single month (15 with the Angels in June 2023).

Dodgers News: Dave Roberts expresses concern over Evan Phillips' injury

Right-handed reliever Evan Phillips is just one name on the lengthy list of injured Dodgers pitchers, but the lack of a return timeline for his latest elbow injury is causing even the most faithful optimists to have doubts.

“It’s starting to get a little concerning,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said (via Gabe Smallson of Dodgers Nation). “I don’t know how long we can give it until he can attempt to start playing catch again. I’m getting a little kind of concerned, but hoping for the best.”

Roberts is usually one to downplay his players' injuries in the media, so the fact that he even used the word "concerning" is, well, concerning. After being shut down for the 2024 postseason with a torn rotator cuff, Phillips made seven appearances for the Dodgers in 2025 before landing back on the IL with elbow inflammation earlier this month.

Phillips was highly effective during his brief stint of action in 2025, recording six strikeouts to two walks in 5 2/3 innings. At this point, when he will be able to resume playing catch is anyone's guess. In the meantime, the Dodgers' bullpen will certainly feel his absence.

Dodgers News: Freddie Freeman donates $1 million to hospital that saved his son's life

According to a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan on Monday, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman and his wife, Chelsea, are donating $1 million to the Children's Hospital of Orange County after seeing firsthand the work the doctors and staff do to help children facing medical challenges and their families.

The Freemans' three-year-old son, Maximus, underwent treatment at CHOC last year after being diagnosed with a rare neurological disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome. He is now doing well and expected to make a full recovery, and the Freemans felt moved to give back to the staff who cared for their son and allow them to provide life-saving care to other children and their families.

“Seeing every room full in the PICU each and every day impacted Chelsea and I deeply," Freeman told Passan. "Getting to know the doctors, nurses and care teams and seeing how they show up each day to bring healing and hope to kids and their families was inspiring. CHOC saved Maximus' life.”

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