The Los Angeles Dodgers secure Evan Phillips on a one-year deal, while designating Ben Rortvedt for assignment.
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Wednesday that they have come to an agreement with reliever Evan Phillips on a one-year, $6.5 million deal. In a corresponding move, catcher Ben Rortvedt has been designated for assignment.
Just as the Dodgers re-claimed Rortvedt to add another catcher to the roster, the Dodgers subsequently placed him on waivers for the second time this year.
This comes as the Dodgers released their list of 32 non-roster invites, which highlighted that Los Angeles had brought in Seby Zavala.
This likely made it difficult to justify the number of Dodgers catchers on the 40-man roster, especially given the fact that Rortvedt was already out of minor-league options.
The Dodgers had three catchers, Dalton Rushing, Will Smith, and Rortvedt, on the 40-man roster, while also adding to their minor-league depth with Zavala and Chuckie Robinson, who are not taking up roster spots.
As for the addition of Phillips, this really doesn’t come as a surprise. The Dodgers had non-tendered him back in November after he underwent Tommy John surgery late last May. With this signing, however, he will return on a new one-year deal.
The last time Phillips received a consistent workload was back in 2024, when he was used in a variety of roles, whether closing games or appearing in high-leverage situations.
This was before the Dodgers had a set closer, prior to bringing in Tanner Scott or Edwin Díaz, but even without a star-studded bullpen, the Dodgers made it work with Phillips really making a name for himself.
In 2024, Phillips appeared in 61 games for the Dodgers, logging 54.1 innings with a 3.62 ERA.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers are expected to be without Phillips for part of the 2026 season as well. But he began a throwing program in November and should have a chance to contribute down the stretch next year, assuming there are no setbacks.
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