Right-handed reliever Evan Phillips has signed a three-year deal with the Atlanta Braves for $35 million, the team announced in a press release on Thursday. Phillips will make $11 million for the next two years and $13 million in 2029.
Apr 20, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips (59) comes off the field during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Evan Phillips Signs Three-Year Deal with Braves
When healthy, Phillips has been a dependable bullpen piece for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Phillips has struggled with injuries in recent years, going under the knife for Tommy John surgery in 2025. As a result, he had an abbreviated season in 2026. The Dodgers made sure they had a timeline in place for his recovery before they signed Phillips to a one-year contract during spring training this year. The Dodgers ultimately didn’t re-sign him this winter. But hopefully, the injuries are in the rearview mirror, and he can pitch at full capacity in 2027.
A Shortened Stint
In a shortened campaign this year, the right-hander went 3-2. He had a 3.46 ERA in 26 innings pitched. Philips had 33 strikeouts and a .227 batting average against. The rust was apparent from the long layoff at times, as he also gave up five home runs in a limited time. Perhaps the highlight of the season occurred in the postseason when he struck out the side against the World Champion Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series. In fact, he has yet to allow an earned run in his postseason career.
Rising to Meet the Moment
The 32-year 0ld veteran was originally drafted by the Braves out of the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, in the 17th round of the Major League Baseball Draft in 2015. He was then with the Baltimore Orioles before going to the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Andrew Friedman, now the Dodgers’ President of Baseball Operations, formerly of the Rays himself, signed Phillips to a minor-league deal in 2021.
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Originally used in mop-up and low-leverage situations, the right-hander soon gained the confidence of manager Dave Roberts. Of course, a plus-95mph fastball is quite hard to ignore. When it is paired with a devastating sweeper, the results speak for themselves. Phillips rose through the branches of his skipper’s trust tree. The right-hander became the Dodgers’ established closer in 2022-2023. He averaged 11 strikeouts per nine innings and a sparkling 1.30 ERA. At one point, in 2022, he had retired a string of nearly 20 batters in a row and furnished the Dodgers with an ERA of 1.14.
The Last Word
In Phillips, the Braves get a veteran right-handed high-leverage reliever, capable of being a closer on occasion. His historically strong performance in the postseason should also be a help to the Braves, who’ve been near-perennial contenders in the NL East in recent years. If Phillips keeps the ball in the yard and hits his spots, he is virtually unhittable. He may be a hidden gem in a shallow free-agent market, provided he can stay healthy.
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Main Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
