Braves sign former Dodgers relief pitcher Evan Phillips to contract

The Atlanta Braves made their first move of Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings on Thursday morning by adding a relief pitcher.

The team signed reliever Evan Phillips to a 3-year, $35 million contract, adding him to what could be one of baseball’s best bullpens.

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The 32-year-old Phillips has been with Dodgers for the past five seasons. His 2026 season didn’t start until July after he recovered from Tommy John surgery in June of 2025.

Phillips finished 2026 with a 3-2 record, a 3.46 ERA and 33 strikeouts. He pitched five times for the Dodgers during the playoffs and did not give up a single run.

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Phillips, who hails from Clayton, North Carolina, was originally drafted by the Braves in the 17th round of the 2015 draft. He made it to Atlanta during the 2018 season, pitching in four games before being traded to Baltimore.

He pitched for Tampa Bay in 2021 before landing with the Dodgers.

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Phillips will team up with Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee and possibly Didier Fuentes to make a strong back end of the bullpen. Closer Raisel Iglesias is a free agent and it is not clear yet if he will return for another season.