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The first domino in the closer landscape has fallen. The Braves inking Phillips to a deal would seem to indicate that free agent Raisel Iglesias will be on a new team in 2027. Phillips returned from Tommy John surgery in 2026 and posted a 3.46 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 33/6 K/BB ratio in 26 innings. Before getting hurt in 2025, he had saved 24 and 18 games in back-to-back seasons with the Dodgers. He’ll be another late-inning option in Atlanta alongside Robert Suarez.

Phillips was called upon to record the final out of the ninth inning with Los Angeles leading by a pair of runs after Tanner Scott served up a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies before managing to record a pair of outs. He issued a walk to Mauricio Dubón before coaxing a game-ending ground out from Austin Riley.

De La Cruz tapped a ball 457 feet, but Phillips otherwise got a strikeout and two soft groundouts. He still might have a save or two in him during these final two weeks.

In a bit of a surprise, Tanner Scott went unused tonight, though he wasn’t really needed in a three-run game against Cincinnati. Phillips has pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out 10 over his last eight appearances. He struggled some initially in his return from Tommy John surgery, but in his current form, he should be a key reliever for the Dodgers in October. He averaged 98.5 mph with his fastball tonight, which is up about two mph from his best seasons in 2022 and ’23.

Phillips blossomed into one of the most effective high-leverage relievers in baseball after being acquired by Los Angeles back in 2021. The 31-year-old has finally made it back after undergoing Tommy John surgery last June. He figures to operate in low-leverage spots initially, but should factor into the Dodgers late-inning mix down the home stretch.

It was originally reported that Phillips would be with the Dodgers on Sunday, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts clarified that will now take place Monday. The right-hander will be a bridge for the Los Angeles bullpen in the mid-to-late innings.

Phillips has missed all of 2026 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 31-year-old will likely be eased into work after missing the first three months of the campaign, but should be a high-leverage option in the second half of 2026. Just keep in mind that save chances won’t be guaranteed.

Phillips allowed one hit and one walk, but also struck out a batter and didn’t let any runs cross the plate. In 5 2/3 innings at Triple-A this season, he has allowed on runs on five hits with a 5/4 K/BB ratio. Obviously, command is going to be the last thing to return after Tommy John surgery, but Phillips looks close to returning to the Dodgers’ bullpen.

The 31-year-old allowed one hit, one walk, and hit a batter while striking out one. It wasn’t a flawless outing, but Phillips has now thrown 2 2/3 scoreless innings at Triple-A while walking three, striking out three, and allowing two hits. He will need a couple more appearances as he continues to shake the rust off in his return from Tommy John surgery.

Phillips progressed to facing hitters for the third time since last year’s Tommy John surgery. He got in a pair of appearances earlier this month at extended spring training out in Arizona. The 31-year-old former closer figures to be ready to rejoin Los Angeles’ high-leverage mix at some point around midseason.

The 31-year-old right-hander continues to progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but he’s expected to be out until at least July, which means that this move was inevitable. He should be able to provide an already stacked Dodgers’ bullpen with a boost for the second half of the 2026 season.

Phillips was non-tendered in November but returns at the precipice of Spring Training. He pitched in just seven games for the Dodgers last year, with a 0.00 ERA and six strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched. The contract says Phillips should have a shot at a roster spot when healthy, but he’s recovering from Tommy John surgery and is expected to be out until July. The Dodgers now have Edwin Diaz on hand, so despite how well Phillips has pitched, he has no closer appeal without a Diaz injury even once healthy.

Phillips is probably out until midseason after Tommy John surgery and was going to be a free agent after next season anyway, so his projected $6 million salary in arbitration was excessive. There should be wide interest in him on a cheaper deal, maybe one with an option for 2027. He has a 2,66 ERA in 121 2/3 innings the last three seasons.