Healthy and Ready: Vesia and Phillips on Track for Opening Day Return to…

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ poor luck with injuries in 2024 didn’t stop after the conclusion of the regular season as they lost a couple bullpen arms for portions of their playoff run.

With three healthy starters in the rotation during October, the Dodgers relied heavily on their talented bullpen arms to get them through the postseason, and it worked to great effect. Throughout their entire World Series run, the Dodgers never lost a game in which they led past the third inning and their bullpen didn’t blow a single save opportunity.

As a unit, the Dodgers bullpen collectively was lights-out, with Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips among the standouts. Both allowed zero runs throughout the playoffs, with Phillips pitching 6.2 innings and Vesia contributing 5.2.

However, they were both unavailable for a single series due to injury, with Vesia missing the NL Championship Series and Phillips sidelined for the World Series.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes is optimistic Vesia and Phillips will each be healthy by Opening Day of the 2025 season, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group.

Gomes said the Dodgers are expecting left-hander Alex Vesia (intercostal injury) and right-hander Evan Phillips (shoulder) to be ready to pitch by Opening Day, but they won’t know until the pitchers get to camp and start throwing with more intensity.

Vesia returned from his intercostal injury to make four appearances in the World Series. On the other hand, Phillips missed the Fall Classic because of his right shoulder injury.

Although, Phillips’ condition was trending in a positive direction in the days leading up to the start of the World Series and he potentially could have become available with one more week of rest to recover.

There were other factors that prevented the Dodgers from including Phillips on the roster, with the MLB rule on replacing injured players during the postseason being a main one.

Dodgers eyeing high-leverage bullpen arm

After missing out on a trade for Devin Williams, the Dodgers are still rumored to be in the market for an impact relief pitcher.

Tanner Scott has emerged as a possibility as there reportedly is mutual interest in getting a deal done.