Atlanta Braves Sign Reliever Evan Phillips To Three Year Deal

Rejoining Atlanta

The Atlanta Braves have agreed to a three year contract worth 35 million dollars with free agent relief pitcher Evan Phillips. The agreement was officially announced on Thursday.

Phillips originally began his Major League Baseball career with the Braves back in 2018. His return adds another experienced pitcher to an Atlanta team that already boasted one of the top bullpens in baseball.

Recent Form and Health History

The veteran right handed reliever played for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season after coming back from Tommy John surgery in July. He pitched in 31 games, finishing the year with a 3-2 record, a 3.46 ERA, and 33 strikeouts across 26 innings.

Phillips performed particularly well late in the year. He posted a 1.46 ERA over his final 14 games of the regular season, striking out 19 batters in 12 1/3 innings. He then made five appearances in the postseason without giving up any runs.

His recent career included battling through injuries. He suffered a rotator cuff injury in March 2025 before returning a month later. He eventually went back on the injured list and decided to have surgery in May 2025. Before that, he had signed a one year deal worth 6.5 million dollars to stay with the Dodgers.

Proven Track Record

Prior to his injury issues, Phillips was extremely effective for Los Angeles. From 2022 to 2024, he recorded a 2.21 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP for the Dodgers. During that stretch, he earned 44 saves and struck out 206 batters over 179 regular season innings.

Over nine seasons in the majors, Phillips has put together a 19-14 record with 47 saves and a 3.37 ERA in 281 appearances. He has played for the Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, and Dodgers. Now back in Atlanta, he brings valuable experience to the bullpen.