Evan Phillips had spent the entire 2024 season proving he was built for the big stage. The World Series should have been his grand finale. But instead of shutting the door on the Yankees, he was stuck on the sidelines, powerless. As the Dodgers fought for a championship, their closer could only watch—aching not just from his injury but from the sting of missing the biggest moment of his career.

Phillips’s ordeal started during Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets when he experienced a twinge in his shoulder. The worst signal for any pitcher. The next day, the pain lingered. He tried throwing again but couldn’t generate power. Deep down, he realized that his season had come to an end; however, a faint spark of optimism remained alive within him.

“We had those five days off before the World Series,” Phillips explained. “We figured if I could chip away at my recovery, maybe I could still pitch.” An MRI confirmed damage to his rotator cuff, but Phillips and the Dodgers kept the door open. The plan was to push through rehab and see if he could contribute. If he couldn’t pitch, they’d shut it down.

Then came the logistical nightmare. Phillips could have been left off the World Series roster entirely, but if he was added and couldn’t pitch, replacing him wasn’t guaranteed. The Dodgers couldn’t afford to play a man short in the bullpen. That was the final blow. He wasn’t just injured—he was out.

Sitting in the dugout during the World Series was torture. Every inning, every batter, he knew exactly when he should have been called in. “That’s my spot,” he admitted, the pain of watching evident in his words. He trusted his teammates, but it didn’t make it any easier.

While he still celebrated with the team and will forever have a World Series ring, missing out on the action stung. He watched as Blake Treinen and Walker Buehler stepped into their usual spots, delivering clutch performances. Every time the lineup turned over, he felt the absence.

“You don’t get those opportunities often,” he reflected. “I was on eggshells after every pitch.”

Now, Phillips’s focus shifts to rehab and getting back to full strength. His throwing program has been delayed, making it unlikely he’ll be ready for the Dodgers’ season opener in Tokyo.

Road to recovery: When will Phillips return to the Dodgers lineup?

The Dodgers are keeping a close eye on Evan Phillips’ recovery as he works his way back from a rotator cuff injury. His offseason throwing program took a hit, and now Opening Day in Tokyo seems out of reach. The team is staying cautious, knowing his importance in the bullpen. Rather than rushing him back, they’re focused on getting him fully healthy before he returns to the mound.

There’s no official timeline for his comeback, but Phillips is grinding through treatment and strengthening exercises. If all goes well, he could be back in the first half of the season. But setbacks happen, and both he and the Dodgers are prepared for any delays. When he returns, they’ll want him firing on all cylinders.

The Dodgers will probably rely on their bullpen to fill in for him at the beginning so that when he does come back, he can get back to dominating the game like before. Meanwhile, what do you think? Could this injury impact his long-term effectiveness?