The Los Angeles Dodgers (20-11) are having a solid campaign thus far, but they now have to deal with a new bullpen injury. Right-handed pitcher Evan Phillips, who sports an 0.66 ERA for the Dodgers this year, will miss time.
Los Angeles placed Phillips on the 15-Day IL Sunday with a right hamstring strain, via The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya. As a result, they activated fellow right-hander Blake Treinen from the IL.
The Phillips move was retroactive to Saturday, via ESPN. The 29-year-old has been clinical this season, as he’s 8-for-8 in save opportunities with 17 strikeouts and four walks over 13 2/3 innings.
Treinen now gets his first opportunity of the year to pitch in the big leagues. The 35-year-old has only thrown five innings in the MLB since 2022.
How will Los Angeles’ bullpen fare in Phillips’ absence?
Losing Evan Phillips is a setback, but the Dodgers have plenty of other options
Phillips is a solid and reliable bullpen arm, but this short-term injury shouldn’t move the needle much.
“For his career, Phillips is 11-11 with 35 saves, a 3.20 ERA, 239 strikeouts and 77 walks in 205⅓ innings over 196 games (one start),” wrote ESPN. “A 17th-round selection by Atlanta in the 2015 MLB draft, Phillips has played for the Braves (2018), Baltimore Orioles (2018-2020), Tampa Bay Rays (2021) and Dodgers (2021-present).”
While Salisbury, Maryland native has been a good closer both this year and throughout his career, Los Angeles has other relievers to temporarily turn to in that spot.
Southpaw Alex Vesia is a good example. The 28-year-old has 19 strikeouts and a 1.65 ERA across 16.1 innings pitched this year. Another one is right-hander Daniel Hudson, who sports a 0.93 WHIP and one save across 15 innings.
Treinen on the other hand, could strengthen the bullpen even further if he gets back to his pre-injury form.
“He is 36-31 with a 2.86 ERA, 504 strikeouts and 193 walks in 503 innings over 449 career games (seven starts) with the Washington Nationals (2014-2017), Oakland Athletics (2017-2019) and Dodgers (2020-2022),” said ESPN. “He was selected to the American League All-Star team while with Oakland in 2018.”
Additionally, Treinen was 6-5 with a 1.99 ERA and seven saves in 2021, his last full season. With such a long track record, the veteran hurler has a strong foundation of experience to fall back on as he works back to full health.
