Dodgers News: Evan Phillips & Nick Frasso Non-Tendered Ahead of Deadline
Ahead of Friday's non-tender deadline, the Dodgers did not tender contracts to right-handers Evan Phillips and Nick Frasso
LOS ANGELES, CA—The Los Angeles Dodgers, aiming to increase roster flexibility, have chosen to non-tender right-handed pitchers Evan Phillips and Nick Frasso ahead of Friday’s non-tender deadline.
Phillips, 31, underwent season-ending UCL surgery this past June and was expected to miss most of the 2026 regular season, having just now resumed his throwing program and rehab.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, Phillips, who was entering his final year of arbitration, was projected to earn $6.1 million, and the Dodgers opted that was too much even for them to have him ride the bench on the injured list.
However, another reason for the non-tender is that it gives the Dodgers yet another open 40-man roster spot, as the team previously had 39 players on it before the non-tender.
In the middle of the 2021 season, the Dodgers decided to take a chance on Phillips by acquiring him from the Tampa Bay Rays, after he was DFA’d by them that summer.
The following year, the Dodgers added Phillips to their bullpen, where he pitched 63 innings across 64 games, posting an impressive 1.14 ERA and recording 77 strikeouts while issuing only 15 walks. In 2023, the team entrusted Phillips with the closer role, and he excelled, securing 24 saves with a 2.04 ERA.
After a partially torn rotator cuff ended Phillips’ scoreless 2024 playoff run and caused him to miss the World Series, he faced additional injury problems in 2025.
Phillips had Tommy John surgery in May and will miss the beginning of 2026. Nevertheless, his performance for the Dodgers from 2022 to 2024 remains impressive, with a 2.21 ERA, a 10.4 K/9, a 2.3 BB/9, and 44 saves.
Given that bullpen strength is a priority for the Dodgers this winter, a reunion with Phillips seems very probable. The two sides might agree on a two-year deal, allowing Phillips to rehab in 2026 and be fully available in 2027 before entering free agency.
Frasso did not pitch during his two seasons on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster. He missed all of 2024 due to shoulder surgery and a hip procedure. In Triple-A this year, Frasso posted a 5.49 ERA over 43 games, including seven starts, with 68 strikeouts and 42 walks in 77 innings.
The Dodgers promoted Frasso on the second-to-last day of the season, but he was simultaneously placed on the 60-day injured list to create space for Andrew Heaney. Frasso has one option year left.
With both players now free agents, the Dodgers’ 40-man roster now sits at 37 players, including 23 pitchers, as the 2026 offseason moves forward.
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