Dodgers' Phillips off World Series roster due to arm fatigue
The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without a key member of their bullpen throughout the World Series against the New York Yankees.
The Dodgers left Evan Phillips, who saved 18 games for L.A. this season, off their 26-man roster after he told the team Thursday that he had "arm fatigue" during his Game 6 outing in the NLCS versus the New York Mets, according to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.
Here's your 26-man roster for the #WorldSeries. pic.twitter.com/Mhz5nbHsdm
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 25, 2024
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Phillips "wasn't rebounding the way he hoped" from the issue, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
Phillips entering the World Series with a pre-existing injury would have made him ineligible for replacement, Nightengale added.
However, Brusdal Graterol and Alex Vesia made L.A.'s roster after missing the NLCS with injuries.
Losing Phillips is significant given how heavily the Dodgers have leaned on their bullpen throughout the playoffs. The righty posted a 3.62 ERA and 10.4 K/9 in 54 2/3 regular-season innings in 2024.
Phillips owns a 123 ERA+ across his seven-year career.