Dodgers re-sign Evan Phillips to surprisingly large contract despite major concern

The Dodgers have more than enough pitching depth, but re-signing Evan Phillips after non-tendering him following the 2025 season was basically a no-brainer.

It wasn't going to happen immediately; Phillips underwent Tommy John in May and LA didn't need him taking up a spot on the 40-man roster before the 60-day IL reopened. But he's been a staple of the Dodgers' pen since 2021 and exemplifies what their pitching development staff can do at its best, so re-signing him at some point was basically set in stone.

It came a lot sooner than Dodgers fans would've thought, though. Per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, they signed him to a one-year deal worth $6.5 million on Wednesday morning. And here's the kicker: they DFA'ed Ben Rortvedt, who they just picked back up off of waivers from the Reds.

The fact that Phillips is going to make $6.5 million when he probably won't be ready for a return until the late summer — if even then — wouldn't make sense for anyone other than the Dodgers, for whom that kind of money is a drop in the bucket. It might also indicate that the Dodgers are optimistic about how he's progressed already, and maybe he'll be back sooner than fans think.

Dodgers re-sign Evan Phillips to $6.5 million deal after Tommy John, DFA Ben Rortvedt

The amount of money the Dodgers are giving Phillips speaks to their affection for him, as he was only expected to make $6.1 million to avoid arbitration this year. Non-tendering him was clearly just a roster-clearing move, probably with a handshake agreement that they would treat him well when they had the rest of the roster sorted out by spring training.

The funniest part of this is Rortvedt getting DFA'ed/waived for the third time this offseason. His return last week raised the same old questions about Dalton Rushing's future, but it looks like those are rendered nil again — unless the Dodgers somehow get him back again.

Phillips' signing by no means changes the complexion of the Dodgers bullpen right now, but his return from Tommy John will be a storyline to follow throughout the season. But the Dodgers lent themselves some reassurance for August or September, if Phillips' recovery doesn't hit any snags. Based on the Dodgers' track record of pitching injuries, they're almost certainly going to need him then.