Evan Phillips Expected To Return After Minimum IL Stint

Prior to their series finale against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, the Los Angeles Dodgers placed Evan Phillips on the 15-day injured list with a right hamstring strain, retroactive to May 4.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that Phillips sustained the injury while playing catch before Saturday’s game. The right-hander had one of the spikes on his cleat get stuck in the grass, which caused the hamstring strain.

Fortunately for Phillips, the strain is considered minor and he should be able to return to the Dodgers after the minimum amount of time on the IL, via Juan Toribio of MLB.com:

Phillips was injured after he “caught a spike” following a pregame workout Saturday, according to manager Dave Roberts. A scan of the injury determined it was not serious.

“Putting him on the IL, we just feel that it shouldn’t be long and the hope is that once his stint is up, he will be back and ready to go,” Roberts said. “It was just really freak and random like how (Ryan) Brasier had a really benign incident when he was running sprints and blows out the calf.”

Phillips’ injury nevertheless is a major blow to the Dodgers bullpen for the time being as he had been in the midst of a career year on the mound.

The 29-year-old was 8-for-8 in save chances with a 0.66 ERA, 1.55 FIP, 1.02 WHIP and 11.2 strikeouts per nine over 14 appearances. In three seasons with the Dodgers, he is 10-8 with a 1.64 ERA and 34 saves in 147 games.

Blake Treinen takes Evan Phillips’ roster spot

The corresponding move to Phillips going on the IL was Blake Treinen being activated for the first time this season. He was slated to be part of the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, but a comebacker to the chest during Spring Training resulted in a bruised lung and fractured ribs.

Treinen struggled during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City but should still provide a boost to a Dodgers bullpen that has been plagued by injuries and inconsistencies.