Evan Phillips has signed a three-year, $35 million contract with the Atlanta Braves, ending his six-season tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Braves announced the deal on Thursday, revealing Phillips will earn $11 million in both 2027 and 2028, with $13 million due in 2029. He also agreed to donate 1% of his salary to the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
Phillips joined the Dodgers in 2021 after being claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays. He quickly became a key part of their bullpen. In 2022, his first full season, Phillips posted a 1.14 ERA over 64 appearances, striking out 77 batters in 63 innings. He then took over the closer role for the Dodgers, recording 42 saves across the 2023 and 2024 seasons while maintaining a 2.79 ERA through 123 games. Phillips also won his first World Series title with Los Angeles during this period.
Injuries interrupted his 2025 season after just seven scoreless appearances, leading to Tommy John surgery. Despite this, the Dodgers brought him back on a one-year, $6.5 million deal before the 2026 season. After returning midseason, Phillips managed a 3.46 ERA in 31 appearances and regained some velocity, reaching 100 mph on his fastball in September.
Over six seasons with the Dodgers, Phillips compiled a 2.36 ERA, 46 saves, and 254 strikeouts in 221 innings pitched. His departure comes amid a wave of Dodgers relievers entering free agency this offseason.
The Braves’ signing addresses recent bullpen departures. Closer Raisel Iglesias, who spent five seasons with Atlanta, left in free agency after his age-36 season. Long reliever Brent Suter also exited. Phillips is expected to take on a role similar to Iglesias’s, though Robert Suarez is likely to be the Braves’ primary closer, with Phillips shaping up as a setup man. The Braves have yet to replace Suter, who throws left-handed.
The Braves’ announcement confirmed Phillips’s contract details and charitable pledge but did not specify his exact role. The team is likely to continue adjusting its bullpen as free agency progresses.
According to Yahoo Sports.
