Red Sox Monitoring Dodgers Champion After Tommy John Surgery

The Boston Red Sox should add a bit more depth...

Jul 30, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A general view of a Los Angeles Dodgers hat and glove during the second inning in the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

It is nearly impossible to have too many capable relievers in Major League Baseball.

The bullpen is volatile. The Boston Red Sox had a great year in 2025 from a bullpen perspective. The club finished with the second-best bullpen ERA in baseball in the regular season at 3.41. Only the San Diego Padres were ahead of the Red Sox. Key pieces, like Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock, Greg Weissert, and Justin Slaten, are all slated to return. Other arms, like Jordan Hicks and Zack Kelly will also be with the club. But Boston has moved on some pieces already this offseason, like Brennan Bernardino, and needs to add more depth.

If you like our content, choose Sports Illustrated as a preferred source on Google.

On Monday, Tim Healey of the Boston Globe reported that one guy the club has shown interest in is Evan Phillips, most recently of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Boston should make a move

Apr 20, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips (59) pitches during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

"File away for early or mid-2026: The Red Sox inquired with free agent reliever Evan Phillips, who had Tommy John surgery in June," Healey wrote on Monday. "Phillips, non-tendered by the Dodgers, is delaying signing a new contract until January-ish (when he starts throwing off the mound) or even July-ish (when he is expected to return to game action). He is seeking a one-year contract so that he can re-establish himself as healthy and effective and take a bigger swing in free agency next offseason.

"Phillips, 31, had a 2.14 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 45 saves over the past four seasons before blowing out his elbow."

Phillips will miss time after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but could very well be a piece to help the bullpen at a discounted, short-term deal. He has a career 3.36 ERA in 250 appearances. From 2022 through 2024, Phillips appeared in 187 games for the Dodgers and logged a 2.21 ERA. His best season came in 2022 with a 1.14 ERA in 64 outings.

In 2025, he had a 0.00 ERA in seven appearances before hurting his elbow. Phillips was a part of two World Series-winning teams over the last two years and now is out there for the taking. With the production he's had over the last four seasons, he's worth a flier.

More MLB: Red Sox, Michael King Update After Rumor-Filled Weekend