Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Braves have strengthened their bullpen by bringing back right-handed reliever Evan Phillips on a three-year, $35 million contract, giving the team another experienced option in high-leverage situations.
The deal, announced Thursday, reunites Phillips with the organization that drafted him in 2015 and gave him his MLB debut in 2018. He returns to Atlanta after spending the past several seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he established himself as one of baseball’s most reliable late-inning relievers.
Phillips, 32, will earn $11 million in each of the first two seasons and $13 million in 2029. He also agreed to donate 1% of his salary to the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
Phillips Returns to Atlanta After Dodgers Stint
Phillips appeared in 31 games for Los Angeles last season after returning from Tommy John surgery. He finished with a 3-2 record, a 3.46 ERA and 33 strikeouts across 26 innings.
The right-hander became particularly effective late in the season, posting a 1.46 ERA over his final 14 appearances while striking out 19 batters in 12⅓ innings. He also made five postseason appearances without allowing a run.
Phillips has been remarkably effective in October throughout his career. He owns a 0.00 ERA across 17 postseason appearances, covering 18⅓ innings.
His signing gives Atlanta another experienced bullpen arm as closer Raisel Iglesias enters free agency. The Braves could still pursue a reunion with Iglesias, but Phillips provides another potential option for the ninth inning.
Braves Add Proven Late-Inning Reliever
Phillips spent six seasons with the Dodgers after Atlanta traded him to the Baltimore Orioles in the deal for Kevin Gausman. Los Angeles later claimed him off waivers in 2021, and he developed into a key member of its bullpen.
From 2022 through 2024, Phillips recorded a 2.21 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP, collecting 44 saves and 206 strikeouts across 179 regular-season innings. He also helped the Dodgers win the 2024 World Series, although an arm injury sustained during the National League Championship Series kept him off the World Series roster.
Atlanta originally selected Phillips in the 17th round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut with the Braves in 2018 before moving on to Baltimore and later Tampa Bay.
Across nine MLB seasons, Phillips has compiled a 19-14 record, 47 saves and a 3.37 ERA in 281 appearances. His return gives Atlanta a familiar arm with extensive closing experience as the club looks to maintain one of the league’s strongest bullpens.
