{"id":42878,"date":"2025-03-14T07:30:35","date_gmt":"2025-03-14T07:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=42878"},"modified":"2025-03-14T07:30:35","modified_gmt":"2025-03-14T07:30:35","slug":"report-two-dodgers-relievers-out-of-minor-league-options-hoping-to-make-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=42878","title":{"rendered":"REPORT!! Two Dodgers Relievers Out of Minor League Options, Hoping to Make Impact"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Anthony<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Dodgers are just days away from\u00a0opening the season\u00a0in Tokyo, Japan. The defending World Series champs have a varied and versatile roster loaded with superstar talent.<\/p>\n

However, it is the lesser-known names that may prove the difference between winning and losing a championship in 2025.<\/p>\n

Two of these players have been the most reliable options in the Los Angeles bullpen. Therefore, it might surprise some to discover that Dodgers relievers\u00a0Anthony Banda\u00a0and\u00a0Evan Phillips\u00a0no longer have minor league options, meaning they can no longer be shuttled to and from Triple-A Oklahoma City.<\/p>\n

The question remains: how will this affect the Dodgers\u2019 flexibility in the bullpen?<\/p>\n

Two Key Dodgers Relievers Are Out of Minor League Options<\/h2>\n

Closer Captain Philips<\/h3>\n
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DJ LeMahieu opens up & minor league reliever makes a statement | Greg Joyce Report<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Evan Phillips has been a revelation for Los Angeles since being acquired via waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays in August of 2021. With a mid-90s fastball and a devastating sweeper, the right-hander gained confidence with every outing. He eventually worked himself into high-leverage situations and became a dependable closer.<\/p>\n

Dominant Numbers<\/h3>\n

Phillips has a large sample size from which to analyze his game. For example, between October 1, 2021 and near the end of May of 2023, the waiver claim turned fireman pitched 83 innings with an ERA of 1.30. He had a WHIP of 0.78 and 103 strikeouts. That is more than 11.5 Ks per nine innings. As a result, he had nine saves. The likelihood that Phillips would be shuttled to the minors again became minuscule.<\/p>\n