Dodgers World Series lineup: LA loses key pitcher for showdown against Yankees
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers will have to cope without a key member of their bullpen for the World Series.
The Dodgers’ roster, revealed on Friday, does not include reliever Evan Phillips, who had to exit the deciding Game 6 of the National League Championship Series due to injury issues.
Phillips has been replaced by another right-handed pitcher, Brusdar Graterol, who has just returned from a month-long recovery from a shoulder injury. However, losing Phillips is a significant blow to the Dodgers’ bullpen strategy as they head into the finals.
This postseason, Phillips has been exceptional, not allowing any runs in 6 and two-thirds innings over five games, contributing to two Dodgers victories in games that featured only relief pitching.
Phillips expressed on Thursday that leaving the Game 6 early after just one inning—when he was expected to pitch for two—was a sensible move and likely protected him for the World Series. He anticipated being included on the final roster.
“The choice made in Game 6 was focused on this moment, ensuring I could still be an option here,” Phillips explained. “We were treading on thin ice a bit; when I finished that inning, the decision was to switch to another arm in the bullpen to prioritize my health so I could be available for this series.”
The Dodgers also welcomed back left-handed reliever Alex Vesia (oblique injury) and shortstop Miguel Rojas (adductor issue), both of whom were absent during the NLCS.