Sports
Braves bring back reliever Evan Phillips on a three-year, $35 million deal
Phillips began his career in Atlanta in 2018. He returned from Tommy John surgery in July and did not allow a run in five playoff games for the Dodgers.
Evan Phillips is heading back to where it all started. The Atlanta Braves and the veteran right-handed reliever agreed to a three-year, $35 million contract Thursday.
Atlanta drafted Phillips in 2015 and he made his major league debut with the Braves in 2018. He will make $11 million in each of the next two seasons and $13 million in 2029.
Back from Tommy John surgery
Phillips spent the last several seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hurt his rotator cuff in March 2025 and returned a month later. He then went back on the injured list and had Tommy John surgery that May.
He re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $6.5 million deal and made it back to the mound right before the All-Star break. He posted a 3.46 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 26 innings over 31 games.
Strong finish
Phillips was at his best down the stretch. He posted a 1.46 ERA over his final 14 games and struck out 19 batters in 12⅓ innings. He then pitched in five postseason games without giving up a run.
From 2022 to 2024, he was one of the top relievers in the game. He had a 2.21 ERA with 44 saves and 206 strikeouts in 179 regular-season innings for Los Angeles.
Over nine seasons with the Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays and Dodgers, Phillips is 19-14 with 47 saves and a 3.37 ERA in 281 games.
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