The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Wednesday that they have re-signed reliever Evan Phillips to a one-year deal valued at $6.5 million, choosing to retain the pitcher despite his recent Tommy John surgery. To make room on the 40-man roster, catcher Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment. Phillips, represented by Apex Baseball, had been non-tendered in November after undergoing surgery in late May but will now return to the organization under this new agreement.
Phillips’ Journey and Impact on the Dodgers Bullpen
Evan Phillips, 31, joined the Dodgers through a waiver claim from the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021. His performance towards the end of that season earned him a spot on the roster heading into the offseason, although his early months with the team did not immediately indicate his long-term value. That changed dramatically in 2022, when Phillips delivered an outstanding 63 innings with an impressive 1.14 ERA. He struck out one-third of batters faced, walked just 6.4%, and consistently threw his four-seam fastball and sinker at over 96 mph. His strong finish included 19 holds, and by 2023, Phillips had taken over the closer role in Los Angeles.
During the 2023 season, Phillips upheld his high standard, registering a 2.05 ERA with 24 saves and six holds. He maintained a 28.2% strikeout rate and minimized walks to 5.6%. Over three seasons from 2022 through early 2025, Phillips established himself as a dominant late-inning reliever, compiling a 2.21 ERA with 44 saves, 34 holds, and only nine blown saves. His strikeout rate remained near 30%, and his walk rate stayed under 7%, demonstrating remarkable consistency.
Injury Setback and Return Timeline
Phillips’ promising 2025 campaign began strongly, with five and two-thirds innings pitched without surrendering a run and six strikeouts. Unfortunately, he was placed on the injured list early in the year and subsequently required Tommy John surgery by late May, an operation that typically sidelines pitchers for 13 to 14 months. The team expects Phillips to target a return near the All-Star break next year, potentially providing a significant boost to the bullpen at midseason, akin to acquiring a top reliever just before the trade deadline.
While recovering from major surgery always involves uncertainty, the Dodgers’ main concern has been ensuring Phillips is healthy for October, a period when they rely heavily on their best pitchers. If Phillips returns on schedule, his presence could be pivotal for the team’s postseason aspirations.
Salary Implications and Roster Moves Involving Ben Rortvedt
The Dodgers, known for their willingness to spend and as regular luxury tax payors, face a steep financial commitment for Phillips. With the luxury tax penalties included, his contract will cost the team around $13.65 million, reflecting the maximum 110% tax rate on his salary. Despite the risk linked to his surgery recovery, the organization’s spending capacity remains substantial.
Ben Rortvedt, the catcher designated for assignment to accommodate Phillips, is likely to go through waivers. Rortvedt finished the season on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster and signed a $1.25 million deal to avoid arbitration. The Dodgers initially placed him on waivers hoping he would clear and accept a minor league assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, allowing the team to retain him as depth without occupying a major league roster spot. The salary amount was intended to discourage other clubs from claiming him and to incentivize him to remain with the organization.
However, after being picked up by the Cincinnati Reds, who carried him on their 40-man roster through the offseason, Rortvedt was designated for assignment earlier this month. The Dodgers then reclaimed him, aiming once again to pass him through waivers as originally planned. Their hope remains that he can be assigned to Triple-A depth rather than occupying a major league roster slot.
Rortvedt’s Profile and Future Outlook
Teams value Rortvedt for his defensive prowess behind the plate and his disciplined approach at the plate, which tends to generate solid walk rates. However, his offensive limitations include a high strikeout rate and low batting average, with minimal power. Over 633 MLB plate appearances, Rortvedt holds a career slash line of .190/.279/.270 and shows only slight improvement at Triple-A, with a .239/.328/.412 line across 574 plate appearances.
The Dodgers have up to five days to decide whether to trade Rortvedt or keep him on waivers. The waiver process takes approximately 48 hours, so his roster status will be resolved within a week at most.
What Lies Ahead for the Dodgers and Their Bullpen
Re-signing Evan Phillips represents a calculated risk by the Dodgers, who are investing heavily despite his recent surgery, underscoring their commitment to maintaining a dominant bullpen. Phillips’ recovery progress and potential midseason return will be closely monitored as the team prepares for a deep postseason run. Meanwhile, the Dodgers face a critical decision regarding Ben Rortvedt’s future with the organization, balancing roster flexibility and depth.
